Ogun State to empower 10,000 farmers to boost local content

 

Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has affirmed the state government’s resolve to empower 10,000 farmers by providing them with 1,000 acres of land for cultivation of crops that would serve as raw materials for multi-national companies like Nestle Nigeria PLC.

Prince Abiodun revealed this during the unveiling and product launch of a new Maggi brand, Signature, at Nestle Flower Gate factory, Sagamu interchange, Ogun State.

The governor said his government would continue to explore available opportunities in the agricultural value chain to create more jobs, improve local contents in raw materials, thus, contributing to the development of the economy.

Represented by the Secretary to the state government, Mr. Olatokunbo Talabi, the governor said that as part of his inaugural speech, he had resolved to make Ogun state a truly investor destination of choice and further assured of government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment that would ensure the growth of already existing businesses and promote new investments.

“We are calling for cooperation and support from companies like Nestle and other corporate bodies in the out-grower Scheme whereby 10,000 farmers will be provided with land to cultivate crops, most of which will be raw materials.

“We expect that Nestle, for example, will be a partner in the provision of extension services, improved yielding seedlings and other modern farm implements; and be ready off-takers of the farm produce,” the governor said.

In a statement issued Friday by the press officer to the SSG, Kehinde Balogun, governor Abiodun further reiterated government’s commitment to improve on the infrastructural development of the state by rehabilitating major roads like the Atan-Agbara Road, its industrial estate intra- road and also, the Sagamu-Abeokuta Expressway.

Earlier in his welcome address, the factory Manager, Flower Gate, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr. Ibikunle Ipinmoye, said, Maggi Signature is a unique blend of natural ingredients such as bay leaves, onions, tomatoes, chilli pepper and thyme commonly used in household kitchens across Nigeria, saying that Nestle Nigeria Plc was poised to make healthier food choices everyday by consistently delivering high quality products and providing nutrition education.