In a bid to tackle the unhygienic slaughtering of meat, the Ogun State government has said plans are underway to establish ranching facilities for meat processing in the state.

Governor Dapo Abiodun noted that the establishment of these facilities would enable the government to rear, fatten, slaughter, and process meat in the most hygienic manner suitable for human consumption.

He stated this while hosting the Head of International Projects of SEMMARIS, Mr Timothée Witkowski, and Regional Agriculture Counsellor at the French embassy in Nigeria, Sonia Darraco, along with her team at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Monday.

The governor lamented that although about 9,000 to 10,000 cattle are slaughtered daily at Kara Cattle Market, the process is haphazard and not sufficiently hygienic for human consumption.

He said: “We have an immediate plan to set up ranching facilities here in Ogun State, where we will rear cattle, fatten them, slaughter, and process them properly.

“We are also going into pig farming as well. Already, we have a lot of poultry, but we will organise them better.”

Abiodun commended SEMMARIS for its positive impact on agriculture, food distribution, and logistics and praised the organisation’s Rungis Farmers’ Market for making food available to the people of France at affordable prices.

He maintained that the arrival of the company in the state would be a game-changer, creating opportunities not only for Ogun State but for the entire southwest region.

The governor emphasised that it would help farmers with extension services and serve as an off-taker for their produce, while his administration would provide all the necessary support and incentives for the company to establish itself in the state.

In his remarks, Mr Witkowski said his mission in the state is to be a strategic partner by working as a team to modernise agricultural projects and provide technical services.

He noted that once operational, the project would create job opportunities, ensure food security, and improve the agricultural value chain.

Also speaking, the Regional Agriculture Counsellor of the French Embassy, Sonia Darraco, said the company is in the state to conduct a feasibility study to identify potential business opportunities for investment. She assured that her home country is ready to support the company in its mission.

Ogun to establish meat processing facilities