The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday opened a €25m fish and feed plant in Ibadan, the state capital.

During the unveiling, the governor said that his administration would continue to provide a conducive environment for businesses to strive, especially for agricultural development and food security.

Makinde stated that the citing of the plant came at the best time when the need to ensure and guarantee food security and increased production became imperative towards meeting the ever-increasing human needs for animal protein in society.

The governor, represented by the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, added that the government had executed a series of Memoranda of Understanding with companies to boost fish food production, haulage, training, and research.

He declared that the government at all levels had been proactive in supporting fish farming in Nigeria and other federating states.

“Let me at this juncture commend the management of Skretting Nigeria Limited, a world-class manufacturer of feeds who started operations in Ibadan in 2014 and has grown the company to internationally recognised standards with a production capacity of 125, 000 metric tons per annum in the state.

“These will, in no small measure, go a long way toward making feeds available at affordable prices to our farmers, thereby ameliorating the challenge of the high cost of feed currently experienced by our farmers,” he added.

The General Manager of Skretting Nigeria Limited, Seyi Adele-Ige, remarked that the company had actively contributed to the economic growth of Nigeria.

She said, “Since inception, the company has actively contributed to the country’s economy by producing feed locally, using locally sourced materials. The new feed production facility will further boost the agriculture sector and national GDP and employ 135 staff directly and 150 through a third-party agency.”

Also speaking, Nutreco’s Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Pieter Bastiaanssen, said, “Our new plant is committed to producing high-quality, affordable feeds and concentrates, specifically tailored to meet the diverse needs of the Nigerian markets. From extruded fish feed to poultry feed, we are fully equipped not only with advanced products but also with experts on the ground, ready to help farmers enhance production efficiency.”