The Jigawa State Government has signed a $10 million joint venture agreement with India’s Srinivasa Farms Private Limited to establish a modern poultry hatchery aimed at improving the supply of day-old chicks and strengthening poultry production in Northern Nigeria.
The agreement was signed in Dutse, with the Indian company holding a 60 per cent stake and the Jigawa State Government retaining the remaining 40 per cent.
Governor Umar Namadi, who presided over the signing ceremony, said the investment would create opportunities for poultry farmers, strengthen agricultural value chains and support food security.
He explained that the partnership followed engagements with the Indian company, including a visit by a state delegation to its facilities in India to study its poultry operations and support programmes for small-scale farmers.
The company’s Vice-President, Senthil Kumar Krishnan, said the project would combine the supply of quality chicks with technical assistance to help farmers improve production and profitability.
Jigawa State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Professor Salim Abdurrahman Lawal, said poultry farmers in Northern Nigeria often depend on chicks transported over long distances from production centres in southern Nigeria. The journeys, estimated at between 1,200 and 1,500 kilometres, can affect the birds’ condition before they reach farmers.
According to Lawal, the proposed hatchery would shorten delivery distances within Jigawa, while plans include distribution facilities, technical guidance and support for young people participating in the poultry value chain.
The project could reduce transportation challenges and improve access to production inputs. Its broader impact will depend on implementation, affordability and the quality of support available to farmers.
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