By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A subsidiary of Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Limited, natnudO Foods, has opened a new processing plant in Benin City, the Edo State capital, in a desire to provide sustainable food solutions and drive economic development in the South-South region of the country.
The new facility will support the company’s mission of making affordable animal protein available to every Nigerian.
The firm already operates plants in Akinyele, Ibadan (Oyo State), Uyo (Akwa Ibom State), and Kaduna State.
At the commissioning of the factory on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, the Managing Director of Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery, Mr Ayoola Oduntan, expressed the organisation’s excitement about the new plant’s potential to drive both economic and social growth in Edo State.
“We are excited to expand our operations into Edo State, a state with tremendous agricultural potential.
“We believe in the power of partnership and community. Our mission is to ensure that protein is accessible to every Nigerian, and by launching the natnuPreneur scheme, we are not only increasing local production but also creating new opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs across the state,” he enthused.
Also, the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, represented by the Commissioner for Communications and Orientation, Mr Chris Nehikhare, commended the initiative for its potential to improve food security, generate employment, and contribute to the state’s economic development.
On his part, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Stephen Idehenre, praised natnudO Foods for its innovative approach to addressing protein scarcity and promoting entrepreneurship.
In another development, natnudO Foods has launched natnuPreneur Scheme with support from Heifer International Nigeria.
The initiative is aimed at empowering farmers and entrepreneurs in Edo State. It will provide farmers and entrepreneurs, especially women, with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to engage in poultry farming and the sale of animal protein products. The scheme consists of two key models: natnuPreneur Farmer and natnuPreneur Seller.
The natnuPreneur Farmer entrepreneurial initiative allows farmers to raise broiler and Noiler chickens under an out-grower model, which will then be bought back and processed at natnudO’s facilities.
Similar to the way the program has been delivered in other states, it aims to enable farmers with the knowledge, resources, and support necessary to succeed in the poultry business, creating wealth and employment opportunities in the local community across Edo State and beyond.
Also, the natnuPreneur Seller model is designed to enable individuals and businesses to establish themselves in the animal protein business.
This model will operate through a Hub and Spoke system, where each Hub will be equipped with solar-powered freezers to store and distribute products to four attached Spokes, which will be provided with push carts and parasols for daily sales.
This model is expected to empower small businesses, improve local distribution, and increase access to affordable protein in Edo State.