The Edo State Government is wooing foreign investors and leveraging international agricultural partnerships to modernise livestock production and attract investment into the state’s animal husbandry sector.

The Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Livestock Development, Hon. Roland Igbadumhe, disclosed this while representing the state at the 35th annual Sommet de l’Élevage (Livestock Summit) in Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Igbadumhe said the state was exploring global expertise, technology and investment opportunities to transform livestock farming from traditional practices into a commercially viable and technology-driven sector.

In a statement yesterday, he said Edo was uniquely positioned to lead livestock development in the South-South region.
“Our presence at Sommet de l’Élevage is not merely ceremonial; it is a targeted effort to source global technology, forge strategic partnerships, and attract foreign direct investment into our state’s growing pastoral and animal production ecosystem,” he said.

The four-day summit, which commenced on October 6, brought together more than 1,700 exhibitors and over 110,000 agricultural professionals, policymakers, investors and other stakeholders from across the world.

Igbadumhe said his participation formed part of the Okpebholo administration’s efforts to expand agricultural productivity, improve food security and create employment through modern livestock production.

He said the Edo delegation held technical discussions with French livestock breeding experts, sustainable feed producers and manufacturers of modern processing equipment on technologies and partnerships that could be adapted to the state.

“We had technical discussions with French livestock breeding experts, sustainable feed producers and manufacturers of modern processing equipment, with a view to identifying technologies and partnerships that could be adapted to Edo State,” he said.

According to him, the delegation also presented some of the government’s ongoing initiatives, including the development of dedicated livestock grazing reserves, capacity-building programmes for farmers and public-private partnership opportunities in poultry, pig and ruminant production.

He said the government was particularly interested in production systems capable of increasing productivity while reducing environmental pressure and making livestock farming more profitable for farmers.

The Special Adviser added that relationships established and investment opportunities identified at the summit would be incorporated into the state’s livestock development plans.
He said the initiative was expected to contribute to food security, create employment in rural communities and diversify the Edo State economy.

Sommet de l’Élevage is one of Europe’s major international livestock trade events, providing a platform for livestock producers, breeders, agricultural technology companies, investors and policymakers to exchange ideas and showcase innovations in animal production.