The Jigawa State Government has signed a $10 million agreement with Srinivasa Farms, an Indian agricultural firm, to construct a modern hatchery facility. Under the terms of the deal, Srinivasa Farms will hold a 60 per cent equity stake in the venture, while the Jigawa State Government will own the remaining 40 per cent.
The proposed facility is intended to be the first modern hatchery of its kind in Northern Nigeria. This development aims to bolster the region’s agricultural production capacity and provide a more stable supply of high-quality biological stocks for local farmers.
The agreement to build the modern hatchery follows a period of increased interest in attracting foreign direct investment to Jigawa’s agricultural sector.
Economic and agricultural implications
The 60-40 equity structure adopts a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, allowing the state to participate in the venture’s governance while leveraging the technical expertise and capital of the Indian firm. This approach is intended to mitigate the risks associated with large-scale agricultural projects while ensuring that local interests are protected.
The presence of a modern hatchery in Jigawa is expected to reduce the dependency of Northern Nigerian farmers on supplies from the southern parts of the country or expensive imports. Currently, many farmers in the North face high costs and logistical challenges when sourcing day-old chicks or other biological products, often due to the long distances required for transportation. Such logistics-heavy processes frequently lead to higher mortality rates and increased costs for the end consumer.
Beyond food security, the $10 million investment is projected to create jobs for the local population, ranging from technical roles in hatchery management to support positions in logistics and distribution. The partnership with Srinivasa Farms is also expected to introduce advanced biological technologies to the state, which could improve the overall quality and resilience of the livestock produced in the region.
This move aligns with broader national efforts to strengthen the domestic agricultural value chain and reduce the pressure on foreign exchange reserves caused by the importation of agricultural inputs. By localising production, the state aims to create a more self-sustaining economic loop within the Northern agricultural belt.
The Jigawa State Government has not yet provided a specific timeline for when construction will begin or when the facility is expected to become fully operational.
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