The Kwara state government has announced its ambition to position the state as the primary food hub of Nigeria. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, conveyed this aspiration during a recent meeting in Ilorin with a delegation from the China-Africa Economic and Trade Council and representatives from the organized private sector.
Ms. Thomas clarified that the visit of the investors was a direct outcome of the Kwara government’s continuous efforts to attract investments in the agricultural sector.
She noted that the Kwara government had previously dispatched a delegation to China, along with other Nigerians, to study reforms and tax policies.
“The purpose of the visit was to gain insights into the diverse reforms implemented by the People’s Republic of China, which have propelled them to their current position,” she explained.
Ms. Thomas mentioned that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had directed the Ministry to communicate all sectoral challenges to the Chinese investors and facilitate engagements with other pertinent stakeholders.
She emphasized that the partnership would significantly contribute to resolving the identified issues and fostering sustainable development within the agricultural sector.
“The challenges encompass various aspects such as inputs, production, processing, market linkage, and the overall operations of the entire value chain,” she explained. “Considering these factors, the delegation opted to visit rice farmers in Shonga, Valentine Chicken, rice farmers in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of the state.”
“In addition,” she continued, “the delegation toured the Industrial Park currently under construction, the fertilizer blending plant, and the Rice Mill factory,” she added.
