Springfield Agro Ltd., a subsidiary of the Kewalram Chanrai Group, has expanded its footprint on the Nigerian economic landscape with the commissioning of Springfield Agro Crops Protection Chemical Plant, in Ogun State.

Located at Ewu-Osi, along Lagos – Ibadan Expressway, the state-of-the-art agrochemical formulation plant gulped over $12 million. The facility, with an initial production capacity of 30 million liters of herbicides and insecticides (expandable to 50 million litres), includes an integrated bottle manufacturing unit for packaging. The plant is expected to generate 300-500 additional jobs, reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported agrochemicals, and support backward integration efforts by the government. In the near future, Springfield Agro plans to export agrochemicals to neighboring countries, maximizing the plant’s capacity and boosting employment opportunities.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, Chairman of Kewalram Chanrai Group, Mr. N. G. Chanrai, disclosed that the plant would make use of locally sourced materials for its productions. “The factory will be creating additional employment, both direct and indirect, and Ogun State indigenes are expected to provide a larger percentage of this workforce,” he said.

He noted that the plant will drastically reduce the importation of agricultural chemicals, conserve foreign exchange and enhance backward integration programmes of both the federal and state governments.

“This plant will soon export agro chemicals to neighbouring countries to foster full capacity utilization and create more jobs and additional forex inflow into Nigeria. The farmers will rejoice using the products. Also, the facilities being put in place will add great revenue to the government in terms of payee tax, local business development, more employment and many more benefits in terms of value additional to the society,” the Kewalram Chanrai Group Chairman said.

In his address, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, congratulated the Board and Management of Kewalram Chanrai Group under the Chairmanship of Mr. N. G. Chanrai “for this remarkable achievement”. Abiodun, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Noimot Salako Oyedele, commended Chanrai Group for its “bold vision, long-term investments, and commitment to the growth of Ogun State and Nigeria at large”, adding: “Your efforts inspire us to keep building partnerships that deliver meaningful impact.”

The commissioning ceremony, which also included the foundation-laying ceremony of a CSR hospital, was graced by eminent personalities, among them the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, who was represented by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr. Aliyu S. Abdullahi. The Vice President in his remarks commended the Chanrai Group for investing in Nigeria and promised government support for all genuine investors.

News Express reports that Springfield Agro Ltd., which was established in 2003, provides comprehensive agricultural solutions in Nigeria, including seeds, agrochemicals, fertilizers, and farm equipment. Registered with the CAC, the company supports farmers and exports key agricultural products like cashew nuts, sesame, soybeans, and cocoa. It employs 500 to 600 people across its nationwide network.

•PHOTO: Left-Right; NAFDAC’s Director, Veterinary Medicine and Allied Product, (VMAP), Dr. Rametu Omamegbe Momodu; Chairman, Kewalram Chanrai Group, Mr Narain Chanrai; representative of the Ogun State Governor/Deputy Governor, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele; representative of the Vice President/Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi; Vice-Chairman, Kewalram Chanrai Group, Mr Navin Chanrai; and the Chief of Staff to the Ogun State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Olatoyin Taiwo, during the commissioning of Springfield Agro Crops Protection Chemical Plant, at Ewu-Osi, Lagos Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State.