Oyo partners Odu’a Cooperative to tackle food export challenges

The Oyo Government through its Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, has finalised arrangements to collaborate with the Odu’a Cooperative Conglomerate Limited to tackle challenges faced with the locally-produced foods in the State. The collaboration is also expected to encourage efforts to unlock the food value chain for effective transformation.

Adeniyi Adebisi, Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment, and Cooperatives, who made this known during a visit to Odu’a Cooperative Conglomerate Limited, Ilesa in Osun State, said the Government would address some issues on irregularities in the exportation of food and other important issues.

Adebisi said the visit was aimed at evaluating the factory’s operations, exploring exportation opportunities, and assessing the Cooperative’s registration status, scope of operation, and product quality.

“The Oyo State Government is committed to promoting agricultural development, food processing, and economic growth in the region. We believe that the Odu’a Cooperative Conglomerate Limited has the potential to play a significant role in achieving this goal”, Adebisi said.

He emphasised the need for the Cooperative to synergise with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council to promote locally-produced foods for international consumption.

Olajide Okesade, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, pointed at the need for quality assurance and export destination standard to ease the concept of opening up the local products for exportation.

He encouraged the Co-operative to focus on improving product quality, meeting international standards, and obtaining necessary certifications.

Kayode Oloruntobi, Acting General Manager of the Co-operative, expressed the Cooperative’s willingness to collaborate with the Oyo State Government to boost exportation of locally- produced foods.

The Odu’a Cooperative Conglomerate Limited is a regional Co-operative society formed by the six Southwestern States of Nigeria, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun and Lagos, with the aim of promoting agricultural development, food processing, and economic growth in the region.

The Co-operative has undergone significant transformations over the years, including modernising equipment, improving management practices, and diversifying products.