Prince Dapo Abiodun led government in Ogun State has affirmed its readiness to partner with PLANT, a Department for International Development (DFID) funded program to transform the State’s agricultural sector using technology.
Consultant to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Angel Adelaja-Kuye made this known during a meeting with a team from Promotion Learning in Agricultural Business Network using technology, (PLANT), led by the Project Director, Mr. Rufus Idris, saying the Ogun State Agricultural Technology and Innovation Lab (OGATIL) would be used as a major tool for the advancement.
Dr. Adelaja-Kuye explained that government was focusing on introduction and adoption of meaningful agricultural technologies by collaborating with Promotion Learning in Agricultural Business Network Using Technology (PLANT), to transform agriculture sector.
She disclosed that the partnership was in line with the “Building Our Future Together” agenda of Governor Abiodun, adding that the state’s “Future of Ag” program would focus on youth inclusion, technology adoption and agribusiness.
The Consultant assured that government would create enabling environment for inclusive development of the agricultural sector to further create jobs, ensure food security and boost the state’s economy, with focus on youth inclusion and technology adoption, leading to market-driven agribusinesses that are tested, to boost private sector confidence.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on ICT, Mr. Dayo Abiodun, described the partnership as apt for sustainable ecosystem that would develop the Agritech sector and the decision to locate the technology laboratory in the Tech Hub was very strategic for easy accessibility, reaffirming government’s commitment to adopt ICT in all sectors of the State’s economy.
Earlier in his address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Dotun Sorunke noted that the intention of government was to train young people on innovative ways of farming in all available value chain, to encourage others to venture into agriculture.
He called on other local and international companies to partner with the current administration to take the State to enviable heights in agriculture to improve the productivity and efficiency of farmers.
The Programme Director, PLANT, Mr. Rufus Idris explained that the £5million pound project was designed to run over the next three years, with the aim of bringing together stakeholders within the ecosystem, to pilot solutions that could help solve challenges confronting farmers, using technology such as Incubation Hubs adoption, as well as enable young people to advance their businesses, just as farmers would be linked to financial institutions for support.
Damilare Olubayode, Ayobami Disu & Tokunbo Jaiyeola
Press Officers, Ministry of Agriculture & BIT/TECH HUB
