By Sunday Apah
Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has officially launched the construction of a $70 million integrated animal feed plant by Olam Agri at Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area.
Once completed, the plant is projected to turn out 450,000 metric tonnes of poultry feed and nearly 100,000 tonnes of aquafeed each year.
It will supply farmers throughout the South-South and South-East, helping ease the problems of expensive feed and limited availability.
At the groundbreaking event, Oborevwori described the project as a major step forward for the state’s industrial growth and agricultural plans.
He said the investment stemmed directly from the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit held in August 2026 and marks another clear achievement under his administration’s MORE Agenda.
He pointed out that the region had long lacked a large-scale animal feed producer. As a result, livestock and poultry farmers had been forced to source supplies from far-away areas, mainly the South-West and Middle Belt.
The governor noted that animal feed makes up 60 to 80 per cent of the total cost of raising livestock and poultry. Lower prices and easier access are therefore essential for farmers’ success and for keeping animal protein available.
He expressed confidence that the new mill would cut transport expenses, improve supply, and bring down the prices of chicken, eggs and fish.
Oborevwori added that the facility would create a steady market for local growers of maize, soybean and other raw materials, thereby reinforcing the agricultural value chain and strengthening food security.
He revealed that the state government had allocated roughly 99.99 acres of land to the company free of charge and had also settled the necessary compensation to speed up land acquisition and project take-off.
The governor pledged continued official support and cautioned anyone against demanding unofficial payments or disrupting the work. He called on traditional rulers, community leaders and young people to safeguard the investment and ensure construction proceeds smoothly.
“I have repeatedly told the investors not to give money to anybody in the name of facilitating their project. We do not encourage such practices, and nobody should demand illegal payments from investors,” he stated.
Oborevwori attributed Olam Agri’s decision to site the plant in Ogwashi-Uku partly to improved security and better road access resulting from his administration’s investments in roads and bridges.
He reaffirmed the government’s determination to maintain an investor-friendly climate that attracts industry, creates jobs and broadens the state’s economic base.
He also disclosed that the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku had indicated that about 8,000 hectares of land remain available for investment, and he assured potential investors that the government would work with the traditional institution to facilitate access to suitable sites.
Earlier, Sharad Gupta, President and Global Head of Integrated Feed and Protein at Olam Agri, praised the governor’s personal commitment to the project.
He said the company’s choice of Delta was driven by the strong agricultural potential of the South-South and South-East regions.
Gupta noted that Olam Agri has operated in Nigeria for about a decade and has built solid partnerships with farmers through soya-bean processing, seed multiplication and better farming methods. Similar productivity programmes will now be extended to Delta, especially for maize and soya-bean production.
He highlighted poultry and aquaculture as sectors with significant room for growth, adding that higher local output of chicken, eggs and fish would help tackle Nigeria’s food-security challenges and cut reliance on imported frozen fish.
Gupta promised ongoing engagement with host communities and said the company would support programmes that raise living standards, build agricultural skills and open opportunities for young people and women.
Providing further details, Amit Agarwal, Senior Vice President and Business Head for Integrated Feed and Protein in Nigeria, explained that Olam Agri already runs two major plants in Kaduna and Kwara. Together they produce 660,000 tonnes of poultry feed, 150,000 tonnes of aquafeed and 450 million day-old broiler chicks annually.
The new Ogwashi-Uku facility will add another 450,000 tonnes of poultry feed and nearly 100,000 tonnes of aquafeed, making it one of the largest integrated feed plants in the country.
Agarwal said the company also intends to establish an Aquaculture Centre of Excellence in Delta with the goal of turning the Asaba–Warri corridor into a leading catfish production hub for the South-South and South-East.
He added that Olam Agri would partner with the state government to boost local production of maize, soybean, cassava and other inputs needed to keep the plant running, thereby creating a reliable market for farmers and stimulating wider agricultural activity.
He expressed optimism that the project would be ready for commissioning in about a year, when commercial production is expected to begin.
In his remarks, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, HRM Dr Ifeanyichukwu Okonjo, said the kingdom is positioning itself as a prime investment destination. He disclosed that about 15 multinational and local companies have already shown interest in setting up operations in the area.
He assured the governor that the traditional institution would continue to work closely with the state government and genuine investors to convert the kingdom’s potential into jobs, economic growth and better living conditions for the people.
Earlier, the Chairman of Aniocha South Local Government Council, Hon. Jude Chukwunwike, described the investment as a significant boost for both the local government and Delta State as a whole.
