By George George Idowu
Kwara State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, mid-week, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to transform its agriculture sector to becoming Nigeria’s food hub.
Oloruntoyosi made the plan public when she hosted a delegation from the China- Africa Economic and Trade Council, and representtives of Orgnised Private Sector in Ilorin, the state capital.
She said the visit of the Chinese investors to Kwara State is an indicator of the state government relentless efforts to attract both local and foreign investments in the agricultural sector.
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The Commissioner hinted that the state government planned to send a fact-finding delegation, alongside other Nigerians, to China to study how the Chinese reform their agricultural sector and tax policies.
She added that the itinerary of the state delegation to China include visits to rice farmers in Shongai and Lafiagi, as well s inspection of industrial park, fertilizer blending plant, and rice mill factory.
In the mean time, the Commissioner noted that the governor haddirected the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to engage with the Chinese investors and relevant stakeholders across the state, to address challenges facing the agricultural sector in the state.
These challenges, according to Oloruntoyosi, includes farm inputs, production, processing, market linkage and the entire value chain.
