Jigawa sign $10 million deal with Indian firm to build modern hatchery

As part of its agricultural transformation efforts, the Jigawa State Government has signed a $10 million Joint Venture Agreement with India’s Srinivasa Farms Private Limited for the establishment of a modern hatchery in the state.

The agreement provides for Srinivasa Farms to hold 60 percent equity in the venture, while the Jigawa State Government will own the remaining 40 percent, as the proposed facility is expected to be the first modern hatchery of its kind in Northern Nigeria.

Governor Malam Umar Namadi, who presided over the signing ceremony, described the partnership as an important stage in the state’s agricultural transformation efforts and expressed confidence that it would create new opportunities for poultry farmers.

“I am confident that this project will revolutionize the poultry industry, not only in Jigawa State and Northern Nigeria, but across the country. It is also part of our efforts to support the federal government’s agenda on food security,” the governor said.

He stated that the partnership followed engagements with Srinivasa Farms, including a visit to its facilities in India, where the state delegation observed its poultry operations and programmes for supporting smallholder farmers.

“The way the company empowers smallholder farmers, helping them to grow and establish sustainable businesses, greatly impressed us. We believe that Jigawa State has many poultry farmers who have struggled year after year, facing several challenges and making losses.

“With this joint venture, I believe the poultry industry will thrive in Jigawa State, Insha Allah.”

The signed agreement contains provisions for training, technical guidance, and other forms of support to help smallholder poultry farmers improve their production and business operations.

The governor said the hatchery agreement was one of five partnerships being pursued following his visit to India as part of the state government’s effort to attract investment, strengthen agricultural value chains, and create opportunities for young people.

Making his remarks, the Srinivasa Farms’ Vice President, Mr. Senthil Kumar Krishnan, said the joint venture would focus on empowering rural communities and improving poultry production efficiency through technical services and quality products.

He said that farmers in Jigawa currently depend on supplies of day-old chicks from distant locations, including Kaduna, with long transportation periods sometimes affecting the quality of the birds upon arrival.

“By producing the chicks locally, we will be able to address these challenges. We will work with the government to provide the best possible support to farmers so that they can obtain quality chicks when they need them.

“Beyond supplying the chicks, we will also extend technical support to farmers, guiding them on how to raise the birds and achieve better results. Better production performance will translate into improved profitability for farmers. That is our main target.”

Furthermore, the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Professor Salim Abdurrahman Lawal, said the investment would address some of the most persistent constraints facing poultry farmers, particularly the high cost and unreliable supply of day-old chicks.

He explained that many chicks supplied to farmers in the northern region are transported from production centers in southern Nigeria, covering distances estimated at between 1,200 and 1,500 kilometers.

“This long journey affects their condition and slows their response to feeding,” he said. With the proposed hatchery in Jigawa, he said transportation distances within the state would be significantly reduced, with no location expected to be more than approximately 150 kilometers from the facility.

“We have also made plans to establish delivery facilities and involve young people in the distribution of these day-old chicks. The state government has further indicated its commitment to providing a support scheme that will offer relief to farmers in the course of production.”

The agreement was signed on behalf of the Jigawa State Government by the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Professor Salim Abdurrahman Lawal, while Mr. Senthil Kumar Krishnan signed for Srinivasa Farms Private Limited