Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has called for the exploration of available partnership options between Germany and the state on food production.
He said that the state would look at ways of contributing to the food security agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Abiodun disclosed this when he received the Consul-General, German Embassy, Weert Borner, in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, yesterday.
The governor noted that his administration would be on the lookout for partners in the area of merchandised farming, adding that the state government would be supporting small farmers across eight extension services by teaching them how to grow.
He also promised that tractors and other forms of mechanised farming equipment aimed at helping his administration to achieve its plan would be provided for farmers in the state.
Abiodun, while commending the German Government over the capacity building programme of GIZ in the state, confirmed the position of the state as the number one in non-oil revenue in the country as a result of the abundance of mineral resources, particularly limestone.
He also noted that his administration had removed all forms of bottlenecks that had hitherto impeded the ability of investors to set up businesses in the state.
Earlier in his remarks, the Consul-General noted that the German government is looking at increasing its ties with the state in the agricultural sector and energy transition.
He said: “The two major areas we want to focus on in increasing cooperation between Ogun State and Germany is the agricultural sector; meaning better production, better methods of agriculture, plus making agriculture more sustainable and environment-friendly and of course, supporting the state in food security for all of Nigeria.
“The second area is the energy transition to improve the build-up of renewable energy and the grid development in Nigeria.” He, however, commended the road network from Lagos State to the state capital, describing it as remarkable.
