The state government of Osun has requested for Expression of Interest for competent aggregators to activate market-driven agricultural value chain in the state. Recall Governor Rauf Aregbesola had two weeks ago travelled to Germany to seek partnership in the agricultural value chain.

The Osun Agricultural Value Chain Activation initiative is an initiative of the state government to partner with competent aggregators to spur private sector-led and market-driven agricultural value chain development. It is designed to use the aggregator and out-grower model, in a way that is innovative, sustainable and scalable.

Sharing boundaries with five (5) other south western states, Osun is strategically located to be the center of trade and commerce for agriculture and other commodities. More so, the state enjoys favourable climate, fast-growing economy, 70% agrarian population, and a vision to be the Mid-Regional Hub for agriculture and agro-allied products. The vision is to facilitate the activation of a minimum of 10 market-driven value chains that will empower 50,000 sustainable smallholder farmers/MSME, increase income and create jobs for 300,000 people using the aggregator and out-grower model.

A statement signed by the Project and Economic Team (PET) in the Governor’s office, states that selected aggregators will identify and establish sustainable and competitive markets in any of the Plantain, Rice, Cassava, Yam, Maize, Tomatoes, Soybeans, Cocoa, Rice, Oil Palm, Poultry, Aquaculture, Small Ruminant, Goats, Piggery, and forestry value chains.

The aggregators will secure sustainable market linkage and organise Osun Small businesses to produce in commercial quantities. The initiative will connect competent aggregators to qualifying small businesses leveraging on the abundance of MSME funds at the National and Sub-Nation levels to support small businesses. The initiative will also partner relevant financial and development institutions.

Read more here: http://osun.gov.ng/2017/01/30/osun-advertises-request-expression-interest-competent-aggregators-4/