Groundbreaking of the Torq Agro poultry project, Batagarawa

Assalamu alaikum and a very good morning to you all.

1. It is with great joy and profound gratitude to Allah (SWT) that I stand before you this morning to mark a momentous occasion in the development of Katsina State - the groundbreaking of a state‐of‐the‐art poultry farm on this 10-hectare land, generously allocated to TORQ Agro Nigeria Limited by the state government to support this visionary project.

2. Today is more than the turning of earth; it is the planting of a seed, a seed of opportunity, sustainable growth, and of shared prosperity. We are laying a foundation that will provide high-quality animal protein, in the form of eggs, to our people, help close the nutritional gap, and ensure that more of our citizens enjoy food security.

3. The poultry sector is a critical part of Nigeria’s agricultural economy, it contributes meaningfully to employment, livelihoods, and the supply of affordable, high-quality protein. By supporting this project, the government of Katsina State is making a firm commitment to agricultural transformation, not just for large-scale enterprise, but for the well-being of every household that depends on poultry as a source of nutrition and income.

4. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a large-scale project, and its construction alone will generate jobs for builders, technicians, and laborers. The farm’s operation will continue to employ many farm workers, veterinary staff, feed specialists, logistics experts, and more. As operations stabilize, this facility can become an anchor institution in our agri-industrial ecosystem, stimulating complementary businesses to local feed mills, transporters, packaging units, and egg distribution networks.

5. In a state like ours, where many households still struggle to meet protein needs, increasing local egg production is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Such an investment underscores that Katsina State is open for forward-looking agribusiness and is ready to partner with private investors to drive modernization.

6. The farm is expected to operate with high standards of animal welfare, ensuring that layers (egg-laying hens) are reared in healthy, comfortable conditions. It is not only ethically right but also smart business, healthier birds lay more eggs over longer periods. In these times when poultry producers must guard against viral diseases like avian influenza, maintaining strong biosecurity and hygiene is non-negotiable.

7. By moving forward with this project, we are demonstrating that Katsina State remains steadfast in its commitment to creating a safe and enabling environment for agribusiness. We are working to ensure that our farmers, investors, and partners can operate without fear, and that our rural communities are part of the solution, not left behind.

8. I wish to thank the leadership of TORQ Agro Nigeria Limited for choosing Katsina State as the site for this ambitious enterprise. Your faith in our state sends a powerful message that Katsina State is not just a land of hospitality, it is also a land of potentiality.

9. We recognize that TORQ Agro is not simply investing in bricks and mortar, rather, you are investing in people, in our youth, our farmers, our future, and this aligns closely with our government’s agenda “Building Your Future” to harness agriculture as a platform for job creation, wealth generation, and transformative development. Katsina State has invested heavily on entrepreneurship including agriculture and poultry farming.

10. This farm is more than an economic venture; it is a legacy project that can be achieved when government and the private sector come together in trust and purpose.

• To TORQ Agro, I say welcome to Katsina State and we are ready for this journey.
• To our farmers, it is a source of inspiration to modern agribusiness is not beyond reach;
• To our young people, it is an invitation to job creation, build careers in agriculture, adopt technology, and contribute meaningfully to their communities;
• To communities, enjoy better nutrition, benefit from improved infrastructure and modern farm project; and
• To our state, it is a stepping-stone toward being a leading center for value-added agriculture in Northern Nigeria.

11. Let us seize this opportunity to show that Katsina State is open for business, open for innovation, and open for growth. Let us work together to ensure that the promise of this moment yields lasting impact in jobs, in food, and in empowerment.

12. In conclusion, let me restate this groundbreaking is not just about building a poultry farm. It is about building opportunity, security, and hope. May Allah (SWT) make this project flourish, may it benefit our people, and may it stand as a beacon of what is possible when vision meets action, when public purpose meets private ambition.

13. Thank you.

Wassalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.