••••As Oyo Govt Sets To Create 100,000 Direct, Indirect Jobs, Support Livelihood Of Over 500,000 Peasant Farmers
Federal government of Nigeria has disclosed that Agric Industrial hubs would reduce post harvest losses being experienced by farmers nationwide as well enhance economic growth.
This is as Oyo State government disclosed its plan to create 100,000 jobs as well support livelihood of over 500,000 peasant farmers with Agribusiness Industrial hubs located at different locations.
The Vice-President, Kashim Shettima while speaking through the Minister of Agruclture and Food Security, Dr. Abubakar, Kyari, at the Groundbreaking ceremony of Agricbusiness Industrial Hubs in Atan-Ijaiye in Akinyele local government area on Saturday reiterated the commitment of the government to the transformation of Agricultural sector of economy.
Commending the initiative of Governor Seyi Makinde led administration in agricultural sector, the Vice-President said it is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal government.
According to him. ‘It is a testament to our unwavering commitment to a future where hope is renewed through concrete action, strategic partnerships and inclusive growth.
‘It is a bold declaration that Nigeria’s future lies in transforming our abundant agricultural resources into value-added products that fuel industries, generate employment, and uplift our farmers.
‘It is a product of strategic partnership between the federal government of Nigeria, our state government, and our esteemed international development partners, especially the African Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, and the Islamic Development Bank, ISDB.
‘This collaborative effort underscores our shared belief that sustainable development in agriculture is achievable only through unity, innovation, (4:13) and shared responsibility.
It is a clear indication that Nigeria is committed to leveraging global expertise, capital, and best practices to achieve sustainable growth and social inclusion.
Also, the Oyo State Government has disclosed over 100,000 people would be directly and indirectly engaged at the various Agribusiness Industrial hubs located in Fasola, Eruwa and Atan-Ijaiye.
The hubs will host over 40 agricultural business Industrial hubs will host over 40 agricultural business, cumulatively employing directly and indirectly over 100,000 people.
Also, it will support the livelihood of over 500,000 farmers from peasantry micro to medium farmers, transforming rural villages into agro-based industrial areas linking to the economy of the re- urban and urban area.
Governor Seyi Makinde, in his address, described the occasion as a promise kept by his administration to revolutionize agricultural sector for job creations and prosperity.
He noted that his administration has identified six farm settlements with three more in Ilora, Iresa Adu and Ipapo to be designed for the succeeding government.
He said, “the hubs would open up the affected communities for businesses that would not be of benefit to not only the state but the nation as a whole.
According to him, Agriculture is not only about food but infrastructure and other developments.
In his address, the President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina said he conceived the idea of Industrial hubs while in the office as the Minister of Agriculture.
According to him, ‘The idea was conceived while I was in the office as Minister but I thank God it is being implemented after leaving the office.
I want to specifically that the Minister of Agriculture for cueing into the vision. This is a lession for the political leadership of the Country.
Agric Industrial hubs, aside from repositioning the economy of the Country will create employment opportunity.
He said, “Food is important. When you have cheap food, people are happy, everybody can eat, the citizens are happy, and there is peace and security in the country. But you need investments to be able to do that. Investments from the public sector, investments from the private sector. And to be able to do that, you also need industrial platforms that will connect primary production all the way to how you store products, how you process and add value and how you ship all that to be able to sell. And that’s what the special agro-industrial processing zones is really about.
“I also want to thank the Vice President, because I think it was last year we went to the World Food Prize, where two years ago, I think, the Vice President was there also with us at the World Food Prize, where we discussed. Governor Makinde was with me at the African Development Bank when I met with so many governors to figure out how we should go about actually supporting this work. So I want to say that three things.
“Political will, very important. And you have that. The other thing is mobilization of resources, which I will speak about in a moment.The other part of it, of course, is strategic alliances and partnerships. And I want to thank the Islamic Development Bank. I want to thank the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the West Africa Development Bank, and several other partners that we have here, because it’s not just the African Development Bank.
We actually work in partnership and alliances with others. Our goal is very clear. It’s to reduce massive post-harvest losses, develop logistics, and improve linkages between farm production, agro-processing, and value addition, transform rural economies, and, of course, to create jobs.
“Now, when you think about.jobs, we also have to think about revenue. Dr. Akande, you’re here. Fiscal expansion is one of the things you have to look at.” Adesina stated.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General of Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), Dr Debo Akande noted that the groundbreaking ceremony is another milestone in Oyo State’s agricultural transformation agenda.
He further stated that the project is not about building Infrastructure but is about creating an ecosystem for agribusiness to thrive.
He said, “We are now scaling up what we successfully implemented at Fasola, our proof of concept, the first SAPZ Agricultural transformation center in Nigeria, we have since broken ground at Eruwa and we are now at Ijaiye. Spanning over 300 hectares within broader 3,000- hectare land envelope, this SAPZ is designed to bring Agro-industrial development closer to our farmer. It will serve as a gateway for processing, value addition, logistics, research and ultimately shared prosperity.
Follow us now for more news in Oyo State. Oyo Truth is an independent online news /medium reporting up-to-date events, happenings and activities related to Oyo State, Nigeria.
Leave a Reply