Netherlands’ ambassador to Nigeria, Wouter Plomp, says his country will train thousands of farmers in Oyo State on agricultural production, processing and other areas of agribusiness.

Mr Plomp said this during a courtesy visit to Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan on Tuesday.

He said his country’s delegation was in the state to discuss bilateral issues, particularly in promoting agriculture, food security and trade.

He commended the achievements of Mr Makinde’s administration in the agricultural sector, adding that the Netherlands acknowledges Oyo State as a valuable strategic partner in agribusiness.

In his response, Mr Makinde said the government would always be open to partnerships that could aid the state in achieving its vision of expanding its economy through agribusiness, solid mineral development, tourism and infrastructural development.

He said his government had, since 2019, embarked on massive infrastructural development, interconnecting the zones of the state and linking the zones to an agricultural belt.

According to him, the efforts aim to grow the state’s economy through agribusiness.

The governor said the state, under his leadership, would continue to encourage agribusiness development, adding that agriculture has always been a forte for Oyo State since the days of the Western region government.”

He further said the state continued to maintain the lead in agriculture and agribusiness and promised that his administration would do everything possible to ensure the sector thrives.

Mr Makinde said his government had added solid mineral development and tourism to the areas of focus through which the state economy could be further expanded. 

(NAN)