By  YINKA KOLAWOLE

Ogun State government has highlighted various investment opportunities that exist in agribusiness in the state, with a promise of attractive incentives and profitable returns.

Gov Ibikunle Amosun

Governor Ibikunle Amosun said at the 2nd Ogun State Investors’ Forum held recently in Abeokuta, that his administration resolved to aggressively promote agriculture as the pivot of its industrialisation plan.

“Our vision for agriculture includes expansion into the agro-processing industry along the value chain. Presently, only 20 percent of our farm produce is processed.

The rest is sold as cash crops or left to rot due to insufficient processing capacity, which must change.

Having realised that land is a key factor for meaningful agricultural development, our administration has allocated over two hundred thousand hectares of land to willing investors in agriculture at a minimal cost.

Also, in order to compliment available acquired agricultural land belonging to the government, the state government is taking steps through collaboration with host communities to make more agricultural land available for large scale commercial farming.

We have identified some particular sectors in agriculture as presenting viable business opportunities for investors,” he stated.

GREEN HOUSE TOMATO PRODUCTION

According to Chief Audu Ogbeh, Chairman, Efugo Farms, Nigeria spends $100 million (about N16 billion) annually to import tomato paste from China.

Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture has alerted investors to opportunities that exist in greenhouse tomato production in the state.

This involves the installation of hundreds of units of greenhouse facilities of 8m by 24m size per unit with drip irrigation system that creates controlled environment for all season production of high quality pepper and tomato.

Greenhouse technology offers a better alternative to the open field farming because of the effect of climate change and bacterial blight disease associated with open field tomato production.

There is ready market for tomato and pepper in the country as well as potential for export. The State promises to make land available for serious investors, with the Ministry of Agriculture ready to share its experience with new comers and provide technical support to ensure successful take off of the project.