Akwa Ibom State Government says the state will partner with the Netherlands to boost agriculture in the state, and contribute to national food security.
The proposed partnership was revealed by the Coordinator, Akwa Ibom Office of the First Lady, Mrs Helen Eno-Obareki, at the opening of the Netherlands Pavilion at the ongoing Agrofood Fair Nigeria in Lagos.
Eno-Obareki said it was a honour to partner and tap from the Dutch wealth of knowledge in agriculture productivity.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Akwa Ibom State, I am delighted to be part of this 11th Edition of Agrofood Nigeria, with the Netherlands headlining as the Guest of Honour.
“It is a testament to your nation’s status as a global powerhouse in agro-industrial innovation, that has mastered the art of turning agricultural vision into global leadership.
“It is, indeed, a distinct honour to stand alongside the Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria, Bengt van Loosdrecht, to officially open the Netherlands Pavilion.
“We are not just here to tour a pavilion; we are here to explore a partnership that fuses Dutch precision with Akwa Ibom’s passion.
“We recognise the Netherlands not just as a trading partner, but as a pioneer. Your expertise in advanced greenhouse technology and high-yield dairy systems has set a global gold standard for productivity and sustainability.
“In Akwa Ibom, as we embark on our own “Agricultural Revolution,” we view your model of “doing more with less” as the ultimate inspiration for our Agricultural Revolution, Rural Development, Infrastructural Maintenance/Advancement, Security Management, and Educational/Health Advancement (ARISE) Agenda.
“We also acknowledge that for technology to thrive, it must be supported by healthy, empowered communities,” Eno-Obareki said.
She noted that a technical revolution in agriculture must be supported by a social revolution in our rural communities.
” As the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), I am convinced that a technical revolution in agriculture must be supported by a social revolution in our rural communities.
“You cannot have sustainable greenhouse farming or a thriving dairy sector without two critical components: Clean Water and Empowered People.
“This is where GIFA, focusing on a critical component of the ARISE Agenda: Rural Development, has successfully installed solar-powered water, across 13 local government areas, ensuring that the basic infrastructure for both life and irrigation is available at the grassroots.
“The success of this project recently led the Executive Governor to issue a landmark directive: to scale this model so that every ward in Akwa Ibom State.
“369 of them will benefit from a GIFA water facility. This is the foundational infrastructure upon which a modern agricultural revolution is built.
“We are equally intentional about the people behind the plough,” the coordinator said.
She described the recent state wide women’s sensitisation tour as a movement to ensure that Akwa Ibom women remain the primary drivers of its rural economy.
“Our recent state-wide women’s sensitisation tour was a movement to ensure that the women of Akwa Ibom who are the primary drivers of our rural economy, are not left behind as we transition to mechanisation and agri-tech.
“Under the leadership of Governor Umo Eno, we have moved beyond theory into execution.
“Our Ibom Model Farm in Nsit Ubium is currently being developed as a 50-hectare integrated agro-economic hub. We see immense potential for the integration of Dutch greenhouse solutions there to ensure year-round food security.
“We have also established the Agricultural Equipment Leasing Company to provide our farmers with the mechanisation necessary to scale their businesses.
“Coupled with our Tree Crop Revolution and our focus on the “Blue Economy” in Oron, we are creating a diverse investment landscape,” she said.
According to her, Akwa Ibom is ready to be the home of Dutch agro-innovation in Nigeria.
She added that the state would offer the stability and infrastructure required for high-level investment.
“Beyond our resources, Akwa Ibom’s greatest asset is its enduring peace. Nationally recognised as a “Safe Haven,” our state offers the stability and security essential for international capital.
“By fostering a culture of hospitality and the rule of law, we provide a predictable environment where Dutch investors can commit with absolute confidence,” she said.
Eno-Obareki noted that the peaceful atmosphere of the state complemented by world-class logistics, is a welcome to any investor.
“With our state-of-the-art road network, the seamless travel provided by Ibom Air and the world-class hospitality of the ARISE Palm Resort – our eco-friendly “Mini-Disneyland” built on reclaimed land, billed for commissioning later this year.
“We have created an environment where business and leisure meet seamlessly. We invite you to experience not just our economy, but our culture.
“We, therefore, invite the Dutch business community to look beyond the pavilion and towards the lush, peaceful, and fertile lands of Akwa Ibom.
“Whether it is in developing our dairy value chain or establishing smart greenhouse clusters, we are ready to be your primary partner in Nigeria.
“We look forward to the fruitful collaborations that will emerge from this tour, where Dutch technology and Akwa Ibom’s resources, will create a sustainable model for feeding the world,” she said.
Reporting by Olusegun Haastrup