By Faridat Salifu
Oyo State has entered a strategic partnership with COVEC, a subsidiary of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), to accelerate agribusiness growth and strengthen the state’s economic base.
The partnership was unveiled last Monday at a Stakeholders’ Forum held at the State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. The event brought together government officials, development partners, and agribusiness stakeholders.
Deputy Governor Adebayo Lawal highlighted the collaboration’s role in supporting food security, boosting export potential, and aligning with the agricultural strengths of Oyo’s agrarian zones.
President of COVEC, Mr. Long Quoping, stated that the partnership would prioritise the development of modern farm estates, agricultural mechanisation, and the improvement of high-value crop production through advanced technology and technical expertise.
Director-General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), Dr. Debo Akande, described the collaboration as a key step in implementing Oyo’s Agribusiness Roadmap.
He noted that the partnership would facilitate technology transfer, project engineering, and long-term infrastructure financing, particularly in areas targeted for agribusiness transformation.
The collaboration, the DG said, would attract capital, knowledge, and innovation to scale existing agribusiness projects and draw further private sector investments.
