Otti To Partner BARN Holding Group For Livestock Development In Abia

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State says his administration is ready to partner Barn Holding Group, a premiere agribusiness conglomerate to establish a large-scale livestock and dairy development project in the State.

The initiative, which would operate under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement targets to create over tens of thousands of job opportunities for Abians, generate significant revenue for Abia State and ensure food security among others.

The initiative is an agribusiness investment running into billions of naira.

Governor Otti who disclosed this in his office during a presentation made by the Chief Executive Officer, Barn Holding Group, Engr Tony Jibuno, described the proposal as a viable step towards agricultural transformation and job creation in the State.

The Governor commended the team for what he described as an “innovative and practical approach” to modern farming, noting that agriculture remains the foundation of Nigeria’s sustainable development.

The Chief press secretary to Governor Otti Mr. Njoku Ukoha Njoku reports that the Governor, immediately constituted a five-member government team to work with the company in developing the project’s framework and financing options and also stressed the need to finalise all technical details and site assessments, stressing that the project’s success would depend on careful planning and proper execution.

“The devil is always in the details. We must dot all the i’s and cross the t’s and then move to the site location as quickly as possible,” Gov. Otti stated.

He assured that the government is open to provide land for expansion either in Okoko Item, where the promoters had proposed to start, or in Umunneochi, where suitable land is also available.

“My preference is to expand horizontally or vertically within the same space to ensure operational efficiency, but if Okoko is too remote, we can relocate to Umunneochi,” Gov. Otti stated.

Gov. Otti said that the project aligns with his administration’s push for ranching and modern livestock management, noting that open grazing is no longer sustainable. He added that the project would help modernise livestock production in the State.

The State Chief Executive noted that the initiative has the potential to create significant employment and boost local food production and appreciated the company for the achievements it had recorded in the sector and urged them to replicate similar success in Abia.

Earlier in his presentation, the Chief Executive Officer of Barn Holdings Group, Mr Tony Jibuno, said that he is interested in partnering with the Abia Government to develop a multi billion livestock and dairy project aimed at boosting food production and creating jobs in the State.

He revealed that the initiative would focus on revitalising the Okoko Livestock Farm and develop a feedlot and abattoir at Umunneochi, explaining that the cattle ranch that would be built at Umunneochi would also serve as a disease-control and livestock traceability hub for cattle entering the State.

Mr Jibuno, said that the project would serve as a demonstration and training centre to equip local farmers with practical knowledge in modern livestock management and agribusiness practices, noting that the project is expected to create over 20,000 jobs, produce 2,000 tonnes of beef annually, and serve as a regional model for modern livestock production.

While enjoining the government to allocate an additional 500 hectares of land around Okoko to ensure the farm’s long-term commercial viability, he assured that the Abia project would help reduce import dependence and improve local production.