Oyo State government has disclosed that the Fasola Industrial Hub has attracted over N10 billion in private-sector investment and created 1,500 direct and indirect jobs.
The state government, which stated that the private sector investment was expected to double within the next one year, added that it was supported by 7,000 smallholder farmers.
Governor Seyi Makinde who disclosed this at the 5th anniversary of IITA Radio and the launch of IITA TV at the IITA the Conference Centre in Ibadan, lauded the fruitful relationship between the state government and IITA, saying it had opened the frontiers of agricultural development in the state.
The governor, represented by the commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, pinpointed the remarkable success stories of agricultural investment in the state and highlighted the significant progress made in agriculture through collaborations with IITA.
One of the remarkable contributions IITA had made to the present administration, Oyelade noted, was the release of its agribusiness specialist, Debo Akande, currently the director-general of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA).
He also emphasized the importance of the Youth Agribusiness Incubation Park Centre in Awe, Oyo State, serving as a key training ground for youth agripreneurs in rural communities.
The governor also expressed high hopes that a partnership between the state’s ministry of information and the newly launched IITA TV and its radio arm would further boost the effective dissemination of agrarian news throughout the state.
The director-general, IITA, Simeon Ehui, while unveiling the IITA Online Television, reiterated the positive impact of effective communication and stressed the importance of disseminating knowledge and information as a tool to driving agricultural development.
Katherine Lopez, the IITA communication office head, represented by Lilian Edosa, emphasised the importance of making an impact in local communities through various agricultural programmes.
She appealed for the support of members of the public for the programmes, particularly in disseminating information that can benefit the masses.
