ASABA: The Delta State Government has announced plans to establish ranches across the state as part of a broader strategy to enhance food production, create employment opportunities, and curb insecurity by discouraging the use of forests as hideouts for criminal activities.
Speaking to journalists in Asaba, the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, explained that the state government is prioritizing agriculture and agro-industrial investments under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.
Aniagwu disclosed that Delta State recently held an investment mission in Brazil aimed at drawing lessons from the country’s successful ranching model and showcasing Delta’s agricultural potential.
He said discussions with Brazilian counterparts and renewable energy firms have opened new prospects for industrial expansion, agricultural development, and job creation.
Our discussions in Brazil are progressing very well, and we are optimistic about the outcomes.
Beyond ranching, the state also held talks with renewable energy companies and other stakeholders in the power sector, building on earlier engagements with the Rural Electrification Agency in Abuja,” Aniagwu said.
According to the commissioner, the administration has expanded infrastructure across all 25 local government areas of the state, creating new access roads to mineral-rich areas, industrial corridors, and potential free trade zones.
Aniagwu stressed that the Oborevwori-led government is committed to its MORE Agenda which focuses on infrastructure expansion, energy generation, agriculture, and industrial development with ranching forming a critical part of the agricultural growth strategy.
Our goal is to light up the state, expand industries, and create employment opportunities that will improve living standards.
Agriculture and industry are at the heart of our development focus, especially with the growing number of graduates and young people who require sustainable jobs outside the civil service, he said.
The government believes that modern ranching will not only increase livestock and dairy production but also reduce the clashes associated with open grazing.
By creating controlled ranches, authorities aim to strengthen security, foster peaceful coexistence, and turn farmlands into productive hubs.
Aniagwu added that the administration’s deliberate focus on agro-industrialization will help absorb thousands of job seekers, reduce youth unemployment, and enhance food security in line with global sustainability goals.
Delta’s ranching plan positions the state as a potential model for agricultural reform in Nigeria.
With the right investment and technology transfer, officials believe the initiative could transform the livestock industry, reduce import dependency, and contribute to Nigeria’s broader food sufficiency targets.
