Olam Agri starts work on new Feed Mill in Delta State to boost Nigeria's agriculture

Delta State, Nigeria: Olam Agri, a top agribusiness involved in food, feed, and fiber, has begun building a new Integrated Feed Mill in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. This project will strengthen and expand its animal feed operations in West Africa and marks a key point in the company's growing investment in Nigeria's agricultural sector.

This $70 million investment comes after Olam Agri bought 99.99 hectares of land in Ogwashi-Uku. The new facility will have a poultry feed mill with a capacity of 1,500 tons per day, an aqua feed mill with a capacity of 300 tons per day, and a silo bag storage capacity of 125,000 tons. The investment will boost Olam Agri's animal feed and poultry breeding operations and add to Nigeria's animal feed production and agricultural infrastructure. The facility is expected to be completed and start operations in 2027.

The new facility is strategically placed to serve customers across Nigeria's South-South and South-East regions. It will meet the rising demand for quality animal feed by bringing production closer to poultry farmers, aquaculture operators, livestock producers, and other customers. This will help cut down on the region's reliance on feed supplies brought in from the South-West, making the supply chain more efficient and improving access to products.

Dignitaries at the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, November 4, included His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Governor of Delta State; Sir Monday John Onyeme, the Deputy Governor; His Royal Majesty, Obi Ifechukwudi Okonjo II, Obi of Ogwashi-Uku; and Hon. Barr. Ada Val Arenyeka, the Delta State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, among other important guests.

Amit Agarwal, Senior Vice President & Business Head of Integrated Feeds & Proteins, Olam Agri in Nigeria, spoke to the audience. He said: "At Olam Agri, we believe building a resilient food system requires a sustained investment in local production, infrastructure, and partnerships that connect farmers' businesses and consumers. The groundbreaking of our new Integrated Feed Mill shows our confidence in Nigeria's agricultural potential and our commitment to improving our capabilities across food and feed. By setting up production closer to customers in the South-South and South-East, we aim to improve access to quality animal feed, support livestock farmers' productivity, and help create a more efficient livestock sector."

He thanked the Delta State Government, traditional institutions, and other stakeholders for their support in making the project happen. He also noted that the company looks forward to working with the government, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, and the local community to ensure this investment brings real and lasting benefits.

His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, emphasized the investment's potential to boost economic and agricultural growth in the state. He said: "We are pleased to see the start of this important investment by Olam Agri in Delta State. This project is crucial because it can create jobs, stimulate economic activities, and strengthen the livestock and agricultural value chains in our state. Our government is committed to creating an environment that helps businesses grow, attracting serious investors, and unlocking economic opportunities in our agricultural sector."

His Royal Majesty, Obi Ifechukwudi Okonjo II, welcomed the investment saying: "We appreciate Olam Agri's investment in Ogwashi-Uku and see the opportunities this project brings for our community and Delta State as a whole. Beyond the infrastructure and economic benefits, we want to ensure our people can actively participate in the opportunities this investment will create. We look forward to a partnership built on trust, respect, and shared growth. We promise our support as the project moves forward."

The investment supports the Federal Government's goal for economic growth, focusing on food security, access to protein, agricultural transformation, local manufacturing, private-sector investment, job creation, and developing local production capacity.

Sharad Gupta, President and Global Head of Integrated Feed and Protein, noted, "The Integrated Feed Mill in Delta State fits with our renewed investment strategy. It will greatly increase our production capacity for poultry and aquaculture feed along with significant storage facilities. It will help grow these key sectors, improve supply chain efficiency, and ensure quality feed is available for livestock, poultry, and aquaculture farmers, boosting domestic production of animal protein in Nigeria."

As Africa's population grows, demand in the agricultural sector will rise sharply. We are responding by speeding up agricultural development while focusing on sustainability through smart investments, new manufacturing, product innovation, and developing human resources. These steps are enhancing Olam Agri's market presence, expanding our operational abilities, and reinforcing our commitment to sustainable growth and long-term value across the continent.

Olam Agri already runs modern animal feed mills, poultry breeding farms, a hatchery producing day-old chicks, and a soy crushing facility in Nigeria. The company recently launched new ruminant feed brands to help livestock farmers boost productivity and improve Nigeria's livestock value chain. The new Integrated Feed Mill adds to this investment, strengthening Olam Agri's role in Nigeria's agricultural and food production system. As Nigeria aims for greater food self-sufficiency and better agricultural capacity, investments in critical infrastructure, technology, and local manufacturing are key to building a more productive, resilient, and sustainable food system.