The Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish a large-scale cattle ranch in Niger State in collaboration with JBJ Brazil, one of the world’s leading cattle ranching companies.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar, made this known during a visit to Governor Umaru Bago in Minna on Monday, accompanied by representatives from JBJ Brazil. The initiative is part of a broader agreement between Nigeria and JBJ Brazil aimed at enhancing livestock production and modernizing the sector.
Niger State was selected for the project due to its vast water resources and the state government’s commitment to providing 1.2 million hectares of land for the $2.5 billion investment. The ranch itself will span 100,000 hectares and accommodate 100,000 bulls, significantly boosting Nigeria’s livestock capacity.
Mukhtar noted that discussions on the financial framework of the project are still ongoing with the investors to finalize the details.
Governor Bago, represented by his deputy, Yakubu Garba, expressed optimism about the initiative, stating that Niger State is well-positioned to support and facilitate the success of the livestock development project.
Also commenting, Chairman of Niger Foods, Sammy Adigun, confirmed that Brazilian firms JBS and JBJ are actively investing in animal production and processing, with the Federal Government providing essential support to ensure the project’s smooth execution.
The initiative is expected to enhance food security, create employment opportunities, and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth by modernizing the livestock industry.
