The Ondo State Government led by the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN has on 27th of November, 2020 signed a partnership deal with the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute.
MARDI is a statutory body which has been mandated to conduct research in agriculture, food and agro-based industries.
The Ondo State Government was able to reach this agreement through the office of the Ondo State Development Investment and Promotional Agency which is headed by Mr Boye Oyewumi.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN revealed that among his agenda for the state is food security, and also to seek investment partners to increase the agricultural output of the state.
According to the Governor,” We embarked on a journey of faith to Malaysia and that’s on the April of 2018. We hoped then that we could open a corridor of Trade between Malaysia and Ondo State, Nigeria.”
“We were convinced that when it comes to the issue of food, of Agriculture, and when it also comes to the issue of Agri-businesses, striking a relationship with Malaysia was as important as any other thing and this is because we have been together for long.”
According to the Governor, he explained that this latest Partnership is not just for the good of the state but to also consolidate on the good relationship between the Malaysian Government and the Nigerian Government.
Arakunrin Akeredolu while congratulating the Malaysian Government for what they have been able to achieve when it comes to food security and Agricultural development in the world, he also added that the partnership with them will rub off well on Ondo State especially in the area of food security.
The Governor revealed that during the last visit if the state delegate which was led by him to Malaysia, the state sought investors with the Technical know- how and financial capacities to increase the state Agricultural output, commercialize the state Agriculture and Agri-Businesses and this been yielding great rewards in the State.
He added that the State delegate also proposed a collaboration and Agri-business Value Chain development in Malaysia which included the establishment of an Agricultural showcase and training centers among other things.
Expressing his excitement, he stated that the state is ready to make the deal happen even though previous administration failed in this regards. He also added that his recent electoral victory in the state is a plus as it would see to it that the state has the time luxury to pursue this project.
The delegate from Malaysia thanked the Ondo State Government for the cordial relationship between both parties while also expressing their readiness to seeing to the success of the partnership with the State.
