As part of efforts to achieve Governor Seyi Makinde’s vision of making Oyo state a leader in research stimulated agribusiness as well as become a global producer of high quality and safe agricultural products, a convergence of Agric stakeholders, investors and diplomats on Tuesday assembled at the Oyo state agribusiness summit to discuss possibilities and articulate their expectations for Oyo state.
The Executive Governor of Oyo state Engr. Seyi Makinde at the summit called on investors to take advantage of the state numerous competitive potentials particularly available manpower, arable land amongst others to explore the state eco-friendly Agric business environment
Governor Makinde in his keynote address at the 2021 Agric business summit held at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan assured both foreign and local investors of adequate security of lives and properties.
The Governor speaking at the summit which have in attendance various diplomats, captains of industries and prospective investors emphasized that the state would not only consider agriculture as a tool for rural development but as a business with great returns on investment.
Makinde while reeling out the many comparative advantages of the state and why investors should take advantage and invest in the state agribusiness hub. He further stressed that the state was intentional in its deliberate effort to stimulate agribusiness and not just mere political rhetoric.
In his speech at the summit, the president, African Development Bank (AFDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina who was represented by Dr. Martins Fregene the Director of the Agricultural Department of AfDP, encourage the state government to incorporate a competitive agribusiness, cluster stakeholder, build local capacity and climatic adaptation in its strategies.
Also Director General of IITA Dr. Nteranya Sanginga explained that unlike previous administration, Governor Makinde has been serious with developing the state agribusiness with a contribution of over 800 million naira to the sector through IITA, and implore the Governor to leave behind a lasting legacy.
In their various goodwill messages, the Australian high commissioner to Nigeria John Donnelly, Ambassador of France to Nigeria Emmanuelle Blackman and Managing Directors of some banks, commended the state government’s agribusiness drive while imploring on the need to focus on food security, poverty reduction and environmental degradation.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Director General of Oyo state agriculture development agency, Dr. Debo Akande argued that no other state in Nigeria has enormous incentives and reservoir of investment possibilities in agribusiness than Oyo state.
Dr. Debo said, “the presence of all the stakeholders here shows you share a deep interest and commitment to grow Oyo State, and that you have the confidence to take up more investments and explore opportunities for partnerships in our agribusiness sector.
He further stressed that, at the outset of his administration in 2019, Governor Makinde set out an economic regeneration vision for Oyo State that is hinged on harnessing our natural economic comparative advantage, underpinned by the development of agribusiness-enabling infrastructure and human capacity development.
“It is obvious that agriculture is woven into the very fabric of our history and in times past, provided the economic backbone for Oyo State’s uncommon exploits as a state of many firsts and ground-breaking innovations, which earned us the nickname of Nigeria’s Pacesetter state.
“Today, while we still retain our status as south-west Nigeria’s agrarian epicentre, as a leading producer of numerous crops, our once vibrant agriculture sector is more synonymous with poverty and a lack of opportunities than wealth creation and prosperity.