Investment in Livestock Development ‘ll Transform Farmer-Herder Clashes to Economic Opportunity – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has said that his administration’s renewed focus in driving international and local investments into livestock sector of the agricultural value-chain will end the crisis of farmer-herder clashes in Nigeria.
President Tinubu also disclosed that the development will eradicate hunger and poverty in the country, thereby promoting economic prosperity.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Nigerian leader made the remarks in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Thursday at the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Federal Government and the JBS S.A, one of the top three largest meat processing companies globally.
“What we are doing right now is that we are solving a problem that afflicted humanity in that part of Africa, clashes between farmers and migrating cows that have caused some life and bloodshed when there is a modern, civilized way to solve those problems and even bring a successful economy out of it.
“We are trying to turn a situation of tragedy, hopelessness into economic opportunity, see through problems and see the opportunity that is involved in it,” he stated.
The president called on the company to see the considerable potentials in what he described as the $2.5billion livestock investment opportunities in Nigeria, especially with its huge population and tap into it.
This, he said is achievable for JBS S.A, given the company’s globally recognized expertise in the area of guaranteeing food security.
“We’ve heard so much about you in terms of the reputation, and we believe in the partnership we are forging today. Food security is extremely important. As we talk right now, there is hunger. However, there is huge hope. And you are one of those hopes that we are looking at.”
He informed the JBS top executives that Nigeria is ready to do business with them, assuring them of a good return on their investment.
In his remarks, the Minister of Livestock Development, Mr. Idi Muhktar Mahia, who led the delegation, reported to the President that the team embarked on guided, extended and intensive tours of companies on the scale of their global reach, the integrated nature of their operations as well as the deployment of advanced technology.
Mr. Mahia stressed that from their interactions with various companies, JBS S.A. was chosen being the second largest meat processing company in the world with the capacity to process 33,000 cattle daily, and over eight million birds daily, using advanced zero-waste practices.
“The company employs over 200,000 people across its subsidiaries in more than 50 countries in the world including United States, Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia among others,” he added.
On his part, the founder and the President of the JBS group, Mr. Wesley Batista, said that the company is the largest employer of labour in Brazil with over $79 billion dollars revenue already in year 2024.
“We are glad to work with Nigeria to work together to develop the livestock industry there. We think it’s a good opportunity for our business in Nigeria and Africa as we believe Nigeria can be the center of supply of protein to many countries in Africa. We look forward to working with you. We are almost in December and this year is almost gone. We hope to be in Nigeria as soon as possible,” Mr. Batista said.
Other members of the delegation are Minister of State Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi; Co-chairman Presidential Livestock Reform Committee, Prof. Attahiru Jega; the Secretary of the Committee, Prof. Mohammed Kuta Yahya, and the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, Ms. Aisha Rimi.
