Ibadan, Oct. 4, 2023: Netherlands’ ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Wouter Plomp, says his country will train thousands of Oyo State farmers in agriculture production, processing and other opportunities in agribusiness.
Plomp said this during a courtesy visit to the office of Gov. Seyi Makinde, in Ibadan on Tuesday.
He said his country delegation was in the state to discuss bilateral issues, particularly in promoting agriculture, food security and trade.
He commended the achievements of Makinde’s administration in the agriculture sector as the state had lots of potential, adding that Netherlands acknowledged it as a valuable strategic partner in agribusiness.
In his response, Makinde said the government would always be opened to partnerships that could aid the state in achieving its vision of expanding its economy through agribusiness, solid mineral development, tourism and infrastructure development.
He said that his government had, since 2019, embarked on massive infrastructure development, inter-connecting the zones of the state and linking the zones to agriculture belt.
According to him, the efforts are aimed at achieving its objective of growing the economy of the state through agribusiness.
The governor said that the state, under his leadership would continue to encourage agribusiness development, adding, ”because agriculture has always been a forte for Oyo State since the days of the Western region government.”
He further said the state had continue to maintain the lead in agriculture and agribusiness and promised that his administration would do everything possible to ensure the sector thrives.
Makinde said his government had added solid mineral development and tourism to the areas of focus through which the economy of the state could be further expanded.
