The Oyo State Government has entered into a partnership with the United Kingdom Agritech Centre to improve agriculture and livestock production through scientific and technological advancements. The initiative, which includes the establishment of an Agritech Hub within one of the state’s Agribusiness Industrial Hubs, aims to introduce modern farming techniques and provide agricultural practitioners with resources to enhance productivity.
The partnership was confirmed during a visit by a UK delegation to Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan. As per the media reports, the delegation, comprising agribusiness experts, academics and officials from the UK Agritech Centre.
Governor Seyi Makinde welcomed the UK delegation, which was led by Kris Camponi, First Secretary and Head of Prosperity at the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos. Other members included Mark Smithson from the UK Department for Business and Trade; Ellis Emwanta, Senior Strategy Manager; Chioma Ezeanaka, Project Manager at the UK Agritech Centre; Claire Hodge, Head of Agri-Systems; and James Kayam, International Business Development Manager at the UK Agritech Centre.
Makinde expressed optimism about the collaboration, noting that the planned Agritech Hub would support farmers in adopting modern farming techniques and contribute to the overall economic growth of the state. The initiative is expected to create opportunities for knowledge transfer, increase agricultural productivity, and strengthen trade relations between Oyo State and the UK.
Investment in Agricultural Technology
During the visit, Debo Akande, the Executive Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Agribusiness, explained that the Agritech Hub will serve as a center for agricultural innovation, providing local farmers with access to new technologies that could improve efficiency and output. Akand highlighted that agriculture had evolved beyond traditional methods, making it necessary for Oyo State to embrace precision farming, mechanization and other modern techniques to boost productivity.
“This is a visit of the United Kingdom delegates, who came to speak with the governor about the expansion of trade and the opportunity that exists through a new initiative similar to AGOA with the American government. The British government has a similar arrangement,” Akande said.
He further noted that the project is a tripartite collaboration between Brazil, the UK, and Nigeria, with Oyo State identified as a key location for its implementation. Akande emphasized that the initiative is particularly beneficial for young people in the state who have an interest in agriculture but may lack the technical expertise to maximize productivity.
A Funded Project with Immediate Implementation
Akande assured that the project is already funded and will be implemented soon, as it has moved beyond the conceptualization stage. He stated that the UK delegation’s visit was aimed at understanding the specific needs and challenges within the state’s agricultural sector to ensure a targeted deployment of resources.
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“This is a grant that the state will be benefiting from. They are here to meet with stakeholders and assess the key needs and challenges so that the right solutions can be implemented,” he added.
UK Delegation Engages with Oyo State Stakeholders
Speaking on the partnership, Smithson explained that the UK and Nigeria signed an investment agreement in February 2024, covering 40 different sectors, with agriculture identified as one of the priority areas. He reiterated the UK Agritech Centre’s commitment to collaborating with Oyo State to enhance agricultural productivity through science and technology.
“We are here today to talk with His Excellency, the Governor, and the stakeholders in the state about opportunities to bring the UK and Nigeria into collaboration in the field of agriculture,” Smithson said. He highlighted that the UK Agritech Centre consists of 300 members from the private sector and academia, working together to provide science-based agricultural solutions that could enhance productivity in Oyo State and beyond.
