Ogun govt, GIZ partner on policy formulation to boost agric sector — Commissioner

The Ogun government says it is collaborating with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in engaging stakeholders, to review the state’s agricultural policy.

It noted that the collaboration would also seek ways of working out favourable policies and modalities that would boost the agricultural sector in the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina, disclosed this at a news conference, at a one- day stakeholder engagement on the review of the state’s agriculture policy, on Saturday, in Abeokuta.

Odedina said there was the need to review the old policy, adding that it was the responsibility of stakeholders to put forward viable policies for the growth and development of the sector.

He pointed out that the state had the largest concentration of agro-industries in the country, as a result of which the current state administration had identified the need for constant reviews of the agriculture policy to spur local and foreign investments in the sector.

“Old policies are no longer applicable, the State government, as a key player in policy making, would continue to involve relevant stakeholders to shape the future of agriculture with the formulation of new policies.

“Ogun State being the largest host to agro-resources and industries, we are elated to witness such an epoch-making event in the history of agricultural practices.

“We have assembled stakeholders here today, including foreign investors, to devise plans to promote their interest and investment in the agricultural sector.

“We need to protect investors and smallholder farmers, create jobs, food, nutrition and security, which cannot be achieved without the formulation of favourable policies,” Odedina said.

Earlier, in his remarks, a member of the GIZ team, Mr Stephen Dada, highlighted the importance of agricultural policy to industrialisation and economic development of any state.

Dada, assured the Ogun government of GIZ’s readiness to join hands with them in the formulation and implementation of reformed policies.