The Oyo State government has launched export-ready, value-added food products to boost agro-industrialisation and expand the state’s footprint in regional and continental trade.
The Agricultural Exporting Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative Society unveiled products at a conference held at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Secretariat Agodi, Ibadan. These included processed yam, cassava, and plantain flour packaged for export and local consumption.
The government also inaugurated a new board of directors for the Association of Nigeria Cooperative Exporters (ANCE) Limited as part of its ongoing Cooperative reforms.
In his address, the Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives (MTIIC), Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi, hinted that the ministry will soon establish the Directorate of Quality Control to ensure the standardisation of export products.
Adebisi, who spoke through the ministry’s permanent secretary, Mr. Mamud Okesade, said the need to reform cooperative structures to meet present-day realities and investor expectations cannot be overemphasised.
Adebisi urged the new board to embrace transparency and unity to unlock opportunities in global exports.
He assured the new board of continued government support in achieving their performance milestones.
Representatives from key agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), and the Bank of Agriculture, commended members of the association for the structure put in place and compliance with the regulations guiding their operations nationwide.
They pledged to support the association through funding, technical guidance, and the trade facilitation Programme. The newly elected ANCE President, Chief Kola Olomoyoyo, promised to build on the achievements of his predecessor, under whom the cooperative stabilized its cocoa and palm kernel export base and diversified into livestock feed and bottled water production.
(Leadership)
