By Emmanuel Enebeli
ASABA/Nigeria: A Brazilian agribusiness investor has unveiled plans to partner the Delta State Government in establishing an integrated cattle and beef production industry, a project expected to strengthen food production, create jobs and expand investment opportunities in the state’s agricultural sector.
The proposal was presented on Tuesday during the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba, where Roberto Fonseca outlined a comprehensive livestock development model covering cattle breeding, ranching, slaughterhouses, beef processing, cold storage facilities, refrigerated transportation and distribution networks.
Fonseca said Delta State possesses favourable climatic and environmental conditions similar to those that enabled Brazil to become one of the world’s leading cattle and beef producers.
According to him, the proposed partnership would not only boost local meat production but also position Delta as a strategic livestock hub capable of supplying both domestic and regional African markets.
He explained that developing a modern livestock value chain would reduce dependence on imported beef, strengthen food security and encourage private sector investment across multiple segments of the agricultural economy.
Fonseca added that beyond cattle production, the project would stimulate investments in logistics, veterinary services, animal feed production, processing facilities and other support industries capable of generating employment and improving rural livelihoods.
He stressed that successful implementation would require sustained collaboration between government and private investors, particularly in providing infrastructure, policy support and access to suitable land for commercial ranching.
The proposed investment formed part of a series of sector-specific opportunities presented during the summit as Delta State intensifies efforts to diversify its economy beyond oil and attract long-term private capital into agriculture and agro-industrial development.
Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, while declaring the summit closed, reiterated his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investors through improved infrastructure, policy consistency, security and strategic partnerships with the private sector.
The governor said Delta’s economic diversification agenda is designed to unlock the state’s natural advantages and attract investments capable of accelerating industrialisation, creating employment and driving sustainable economic growth.
