Belgian ambassador hints on boosting cocoa production in Nigeria

The Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt, says his country is working on how to boost cocoa production in Nigeria.

Leenknegt said this on Monday, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, at his Palace in Oke Aremo, Ibadan, Oyo  State.

The ambassador said one of the reasons for the visit was to discuss how to enhance agriculture, trade and finance between Nigeria and Belgium.

He also said his visit to the Olubadan Palace was to tap from the experiences of the traditional ruler, to guide and help him in office during his duty tour in Nigeria.

“So, I am glad to be here and I will also be glad to have words of wisdom from you that will guide me for a successful tenure in office,” he said.

Speaking through the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Tajudeen Ajibola, Oba Olakulehin intimated the Belgian ambassador that Ibadan had enough arable land, suitable and available for agricultural production.

According to him, there are vast hectares of arable land, and requires international partnership, funding and support, to boost food production in the country.

He urged interested investors to come and take advantage of the vast hectares of arable land in Ibadan suitable  for agriculture.

Olubadan listed some locations of arable land to include; Egbeda, Ona Ara, Oluyole, Ido, Lagelu and Akinyele Local Government Areas, where potentials for large scale production of agricultural products abound in Ibadanland.

The Belgian ambassador was accompanied by Genco Sanli, the Embassy’s Advisor in Economic Diplomacy for Nigeria, Kingdom of Belgium, and Florence Oke, Resource Mobilisation, Protocol and External Liaison, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).