By Tracy Moses<\/p>\n
The Japanese Government and Edo State Government are exploring stronger cooperation in agriculture and livestock development, with Japanese investors expected to participate in the Edo International Agricultural and Livestock Investment Summit scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.<\/p>\n
The proposed partnership is expected to open up opportunities for development assistance, investment and technical cooperation as the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo seeks to boost agricultural production and strengthen the livestock value chain under its SHINE Agenda.<\/p>\n
The development followed a meeting between the Head of Economic Cooperation at the Embassy of Japan, Hitomi Niikura, and a delegation from the Edo State Government at the Japanese Embassy in Abuja on October 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
The delegation was led by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Jerry Uwangue, and the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Ohimai Ehijimetor. Other members included the Special Adviser on Livestock Development, Roland Igbadumhe, and the Director in the Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Lucky Adebudo.<\/p>\n
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Uwangue described the engagement as productive, saying it had opened further opportunities for collaboration between Edo State and Japan in agriculture and livestock development.<\/p>\n
He disclosed that the Japanese Embassy and investors from the country had expressed interest in participating in the 2027 investment summit, which is expected to bring together investors, policymakers and other stakeholders to explore business opportunities and partnerships in the state’s agricultural and livestock sectors.<\/p>\n
According to the commissioner, Edo State would also continue to benefit from Japan’s development assistance programmes, particularly its Official Development Assistance (ODA) and Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP).<\/p>\n
He said the proposed partnership would complement the state government’s efforts to attract investment, increase agricultural production and expand opportunities across the livestock value chain.<\/p>\n
Japan’s ODA provides support for development initiatives through technical cooperation, grants and other assistance mechanisms, while its GGP programme focuses on community-based projects aimed at improving living conditions and addressing local development needs.<\/p>\n
For Edo State, the engagement comes amid efforts to position agriculture as a major driver of economic growth, employment generation and investment. The livestock sector, in particular, offers opportunities to increase production, improve value-chain infrastructure and expand commercial activities for farmers, processors and other businesses.<\/p>\n
The planned investment summit is expected to provide a platform for the state to showcase its agricultural potential, engage prospective investors and secure partnerships to support the growth of the sector.<\/p>\n
However, converting the expressions of interest into tangible investments will depend largely on the availability of viable projects, an enabling business environment and clear frameworks for sustainable collaboration.<\/p>\n
The Edo State Government said the engagement with the Japanese Embassy was part of its broader efforts to attract international development partners and private-sector investment in support of the Okpebholo administration’s SHINE Agenda.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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