The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha has called on Ecogold, a leading manufacturer of animal fattening products, to establish a factory in Nigeria as a matter of urgency to boost the country’s local production of animal feeds.
Maiha made the call when the chief executive officer of Ecogold, Martins Nwaege and his team paid a working visit to the ministry in Abuja.
He noted that the ministry is committed to transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector through the development of modern abattoirs, extensive pasture cultivation, feedlots for animal fattening, ranching and comprehensive animal health services.
Assuring the company of government support, the minister urged Ecogold to localise its operations by setting up a factory in Nigeria to reduce the country’s heavy reliance on imported animal fattening products.
“Let us leverage this opportunity and see what we can build together,” he said, adding that the ministry is ready to collaborate to ensure the product reaches nationwide coverage.
In a statement issued by the ministry’s director of information and public relations, Ben Bem Goong the minister also advised Ecogold to conduct stakeholder engagements to effectively promote its products across the country.
Responding, Nwaege assured the minister that the proposed feed factory in Nigeria would become operational within two years. He added that Nigeria will serve as the pilot country, with plans to expand into other African nations.
Nwaege emphasised that the initiative will generate employment opportunities for women and youth and noted that the company’s products have already been certified by the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI).
