Dr, Torben Roerstoff, Senior Economic Adviser to UNIDO; Otunba Reim Bodunrin, Hon. Commissioner for commerce and Industries; Mrs Bunmi Dipo-Salami, Hon. Commissioner for Integration and intergovtal affairs, Dr. Mpoko Bokanga, UNIT chief Agribusiness development, UNIDO; Mr. Toyin Bamikole aa UNIDO consultant; Dr. Olu Omosaye also a UNIDO consultant;and Mr. Faniyen.
The technical team of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) recently concluded a stakeholders forum on the Agro-industrial sector in Ekiti State .
The team has been in the state conducting assessments for the past 4 weeks.
Present at the forum were small and medium scale owners in the Cassava, Rice, tomato, oil-Palm , banana and cocoa processing areas. Declaring the Forum open the Hon commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives, Otunba Reim Bodunrin noted it was time the stakeholders meet to discuss the way forward for Agri-Business to thrive and flourish in the state.
Noting that Industrial development is one of the key focuses of the 8 point agenda of the present administration. The sector which falls under Agenda no 6 will look at the development of small and medium scale farmers in the state.
He further charged the industrialists to remain committed to their businesses as the entire value chain from food to fork will be utilized. He further noted that the Min. Of Commerce is working closely with the Min. of Agric and Natural resources to site new processing plants for the planned crops very close to their raw materials.
He thanked the UNIDO Team for the interest shown in the Agri-business sector in Ekiti state. Dr. Mpoko Bokanga, the UNIDO Agribusiness unit chief responded that UNIDO will be very willing to cooperate with the state government in providing technical training and capacity building for the stake holders.
He also thanked the Commissioner for what he described as an excellent cooperation of data collation in record time.
Last modified: April 25, 2012
