Agribusiness: Cassava Cultivation, Livestock Farming Top Agenda, As OYSADA’S DG Akande Receives Plateau Delegation

Cassava cultivation and livestock farming took centre of discussion when delegation from Plateau State, led by the Honorable Commissioner for Agriculture, Samson Bugama visited the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan and the Fashola Agro-Industrial Hub in Oyo State.

Receiving the delegation, Dr Debo Akande, the Executive Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Agribusiness, international Cooperation and Development as well as the Director General of Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency highlighted Governor Makinde’s blueprint and commitments in agribusiness development in the state.

Located in Oyo West Local Government Area along the Oyo-Iseyin road, Fashola Agribusiness Industrial Hub covers 1,200 hectares and is strategically bordered by Aladire and Alabafin.

In an interview with Commissioner Bugama,he explained that the Plateau State team came to learn from Oyo State’s progress, as Oyo is in the first phase of the Special Agricultural Processing Zone (SAPZ) program, while Plateau is scheduled for phase two. “We wanted to see the advancements those ahead of us have achieved and identify ways we can improve,” Bugama said.

He praised Oyo State’s commitment to industrializing agriculture, highlighting the Makinde administration’s efforts to boost agricultural production through strategic industrialization.

Commissioner Bugama also emphasized the importance of road infrastructure for agricultural development.

He noted that connecting industries to raw material sources is essential to prevent facilities from becoming obsolete.

“These road networks represent a critical infrastructure step needed to drive the transformative growth in agriculture,” he said, commending Governor Makinde’s achievements.

Bugama concluded by promising that Plateau State would take the insights gained from Oyo’s progress to further advance its own agricultural and industrial goals.