Ogun State launches Revised Agric Policy
The Ogun State Government in partnership with a German Cooperation (GIZ) has reviewed the state’s agricultural policy to achieve its goals of food security, job creation and industrialisation.
The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Adeola Odedina, who spoke at the official handover of the policy document in Abeokuta said the move was to match the current administration’s agriculture dream with the policy of the state.
According to the Commissioner, the move was to build a strong foundation needed to enhance the sector for improved production.
“There is a need to develop a framework that would stand the test of time to cater for the current and future agricultural policy,” he said.
Odedina affirmed that local, national and international stakeholders in the agricultural sector were consulted for inputs during the review.
His words, ,”We are receiving a document here today that we reviewed together with GIZ, who is our partner. It’s another milestone that we are reviewing a policy established in 1989.
“In the next 20 to 30 years, we are going to be relying on it because we are using it to lay a good foundation for the future of agriculture. We are still going to present it to the State Executive Council and the House of Assembly.”
On his part, GIZ representative Barr. Akinropo Omoware said the idea was to have a policy that would drive the agricultural transformation process in the State.
Omoware assured that the implementation of the policy would have multiplying positive effects on the agricultural sector with attendant value-chain opportunities.
On his part, a stakeholder in the policy review, Prof. Kolawole Adebayo, explained that the development was to transform the state’s agricultural sector in line with the best global practices.
In view of the aforesaid, he added that consultations were made to all the states in the country that have an agricultural policy, the local farmers and other stakeholders to obtain suggestions, opinions and contributions among others.
“This current document allows some innovations in the front burner of agriculture. So, anyone that wants to go into any sector of agriculture, in ICT, climate-smart agriculture, agro-forestry, greenhouse technology, this current document recognises all of that and many others,’ Adebayo added.
