Akwa Ibom State government of Nigeria says a technology-based agricultural firm, Shandong Wuzgen Group, has arrived in the state to invest in the agric sector.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Charles Inyang, who spoke after an interaction between the directors of the firm and Governor Udom Emmanuel, said the state government was determined to strengthen the agriculture sector through mechanised farming and ensure availability and affordability of food.

According to a statement by the state on Tuesday, the leader of the Shandong Wuzgen Group, Mr. Xiwen, expressed his delight at the investment opportunities in the state, while identifying areas of intended collaboration with the state to include large scale cassava plantation, maize and cashew cultivation.

He said, “As a large scale agricultural manufacturing organisation, we are targeting Akwa Ibom as the gateway to commercial farming in Nigeria, and we have come to confer with the governor and seek his support to enable us to partner in agricultural production.

“We also engage in the manufacturing of haulage vehicles from five to 30 tonnes, tricycles, ambulances, storage facilities and recycling of waste for industrial and agricultural use.”

The business consultant to the Group, Mr. Abdulraman Abdukari, said the degree of partnership would be a symbiotic one as the state government would provide the land and manpower, with Shandong Group providing the technology and market for the produce.

Source: PUNCH