By Oyeniyi Awojoodu, Ibadan
In his efforts to support farmers, consumers, traders and all the stakeholders in agribusiness value chain, Oyo state Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has revealed his intentions to establish International Agribusiness Wholesale Markets in the state.
The market according to the Executive Adviser to Governor Makinde on Agribusiness, International Corporation and Development, Dr. Debo Akande will be modelled after the largest wholesale market in the world, the Rungis Semmaris Market France.
Dr. Debo Akande who also doubles as the Director General of Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) led the French delegations who was head by the Head of International Projects SEMMARIS – Rungis International Market Timothée Witkowski, his partner Steve Allen, a Consultant and Market specialist, the national coordinator of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), represented by Engr Bukar Gana and Oyo state Coordinator of RAAMP, Engr. (Mrs) Olufunke Ekundayo, Oyo State Coordinator of Special Agro Processing Zones (SAPZ), Mr Ilori Olufemi Joseph, who also doubles as the Director of Technical and Services of OYSADA, Mr Popoola Olusola Alaba, the Regional Manager of OYSADA among others were on a two days feasibility tour to some major government’s facilities, to show them the state government commitments on agribusiness and it’s value chain in the state.
Dr. Akande while briefing journalists shortly after the tour noted that Governor Makinde and other stakeholders including himself has visited the Rungis Semmaris Market in France with the aim of replicating such market in Oyo state with the objectives of boosting and expanding the state’s socio-economic status, as well as improve the well-being of the indigenous farmers in the state and the country at large.
The feasibility tour to major landmark infrastructure assets in state took the French delegations, RAAMP representatives and Oyo state Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) team two days, while some of the places visited include the Administratives office of OYSADA at Total Garden Ibadan, the Dry-Port station at Moniya, Ibadan, the Rail station located at Moniya Ibadan, Ijaye Industrial Hub, rehabilitated 65km Moniya – Iseyin road, the newly constructed 76.67km Alao Akala memorial Highway Ogbomoso -Iseyin Road, Brown Sugar Factory along Iseyin-Fashola, Iseyi- Fashola -Oyo Road, Fashola Agribusiness Industrial Hub, Fashola -Oyo- Akinyele Farmers Market, Akufo Market/Akufo Agribusiness Hub, Bodija Market, Ibadan Circular Road among others.
In his words, Akande said, “This is about the vision of the governor on agribusiness which surrounds production, processing, marketing, agro-logistics, among others.”
“We know that we can’t do it alone, so we need the support of private and development partnerships and that is exactly what we are having with French government collaboration. Every Agricultural products have a central place where it can be stored, and big companies do not need to go into the bush to be looking for materials, hence, the plan for the establishment of International Agribusiness Wholesale Markets in the state.”
“The Governor has approved having a market in oyo state that will be more than 100 hectares of land. The team from France Rungis Market Development are around for feasibility studies.” Akande said.
Speaking further, Akande emphasized on the fact that the current development is completely interwoven with what Oyo State have been doing, the establishment of agribusiness industrial hubs in the state, the road connectivity that is targeting agribusiness value chain among other developmental projects going on in the state.
In line with this new development, Dr Debo outlined some of the developments that the State have been able to achieve, saying almost all the areas of the state have been connected. He said, “the commissioning of the newly constructed Alao Akala memorial Highway Road, Ibadan Circular Road, Construction of the railway, Agribusiness hub in Fashola, and the intended ones at Ijaiye and Eruwa.”
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In his remarks, the National Coordinator Rural Access Agricultural and Marketing Project, (RAAMP) under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Engr. Bukar Gana commended Engr Seyi Makinde for his commitment in agribusiness development in the state.
While speaking with journalists, Timothée Witkowski expressed satisfaction over the level of development the state Governor Engr Seyi Makinde has brought to the state in terms of agribusiness development.He assured the state government of a productive collaboration through provision of all the necessary supports required towards achieving the set goals of the state Governor in provision of adequate infrastructures that will enhance food hygiene and sustainable food sufficiency.
In his detailed analysis of Rungis Semmaris Wholesale Markets, Timothée Witkowski said “the market is the only market in the world where people can find a rich variety of fresh products such as fish, meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables and flowers are delivered daily to the 232 hectares market.”
While speaking on logistics value of the market, Timothée said, “Over 26,000 vehicles are coming in on daily basis to Rungis Market for business transactions, with roughly 145,000 tons of fish and shellfish sold every year, the fresh fish sector of Rungis Wholesale Market is one of the France’s largest Port in terms of volume.”
Alhaji Aderemi Jimoh, the Babaloja of Bodija Market who received the delegations on behalf of market men and women assured government of unfliching support towards actualizing his set goals in transforming Oyo state markets to world standard.