Foreign Organisations To Partner Ekiti On Agric Transformation

Three reputable foreign organisations have expressed their readiness to partner the Ekiti State Government in its quest to transform the state’s agriculture sector. The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Babajide Arowosafe  disclosed this while briefing newsmen in his office in Ado Ekiti.

 Mr. Arowosafe who named the three foreign organisations  as Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Zanbeef and AGCO explained that officials of FAO were in the State at the instance of the United Nations Development Project (UNDP), for a study tour of a proposed irrigation project.

He said the FAO team led by Mr. Bamba Aliou also visited Ero and Itapaji Dams and adjoining lands for Irrigation.

The Commissioner said the FAO team expressed satisfaction with what was on ground and believed that the areas visited were suitable for commercial irrigation.

He revealed further that Zanbeef led by its Managing Director, Mr Pieter Swanepoel was in the state to set up an integrated commercial farm with emphasis on live stock, in partnership with the Ekiti State Government.

Mr. Arowosafe noted  that the would supply a minimum of 25 tonnes of meat and 25,000 broilers per week adding that Zanbeef would train famers in animal husbandry especially poultry project.

He further said that a Memorandum of Understanding would be signed within the next two weeks noting that those trained will act as out-growers. Mr. Arowosafe who said the third foreign mission, AGCO from United States of America led by its Managing Director in charge of African and Middle East, Mr. Nuradin Osman  was recently in Ekiti to discuss thepossibility of setting up a mechanised Agric training firm in partnership with the State Government.

He added that the proposed  firm apart from been a commercial one would act as institute under  the proposed Ekiti State College of Agriculture.

Mr. Arowosafe noted that with the take off  of the three firms, more youths would get jobs and more revenue would accrue to the coffers of the state government. He restated the state government’s readiness to assist the three firms to take off on solid foundation.