L-R: Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Vice President Namadi Sambo; Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; and Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina at the Nigeria: Transforming Agric- Business Through Agriculture Forum in Washington DC....on Tueasday
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has made a strong case for the return of farm settlements as a means of revolutionalizing agriculture and diversifying Nigeria’s income base.
The Governor made the submission in his presentation at the on going agriculture forum themed: Nigeria: Transforming Agric-Business Through Investment Forum, holding in Washington DC. , United States of America. The forum is organised by the Nigerian Embassy in the US in conjunction with the Corporate Council for Africa (CCA).
Governor Fayemi explained that robust farm settlements accounted for Ekiti State’s dominance in the production of key cash crops particularly cocoa prior to the discovery of crude oil in the country.
He further called on all stakeholders to join hands in reversing the decline in agricultural output that has made Nigeria a net importer of food in spite of vast land, climatic and human resources.
Fayemi while presenting Ekiti State as the emerging destination of choice for agric-based investment in Nigeria, said his administration had put in place some incentives to encourage huge investments to the state in the area of agriculture.
Other prominent Nigerian leaders at the forum include Vice President, Arch Namadi Sambo; World Bank’s Vice President (Africa), Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili; Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, Governor of Rivers State and Chair, Governor’s Forum, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, his Kaduna State counterpart, Mr Patrick Yakowa and Dr Abdulfatal Amhed of Kwara State.
The Ekiti State delegation include the Commissioners for Agriculture , Mr Babajide Arowosafe; Commissioner for Commerce , Industries and Cooperatives, Otunba Reim Bodunrin; Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Debo Ajayi, Special Adviser/DG Public Private Partnership Office, Mr Femi Tolani and the Senior Special Assistant (Corporate Communications), Mr Akin Rotimi.
Over 600 government and institutional investors were in attendance during the Governor’s presentation. Ekiti State also had a stand where information about the state was on display.
Last modified: April 11, 2012