Delta, UNIDO collaborate to develop agribusiness
Delta State government has reached an agreement with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to provide technical assistance to promote agribusiness, agro value development chain and agro processes to boost bee keeping, fishery and oil palm production in the state.
The agreement, which was reached when Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, governor of the state, met with the leadership of UNIDO in Vienna, Austria, also covers the technological upgrading for the production of footwear and leather goods, as well as other products such as Akwa-Ocha fabric.
The assistance on oil palm is for processing, packaging and the creation of market linkages for palm oil processing, vegetable (bleached palm oil) and palm kernel oil while that of fisheries will address the challenges associated with production through aquaculture and value addition via processing, preservation and market linkages.
The aid on apiculture will boost bee keeping and honey production, processing and market linkages.
The agreement represents a deepening of the collaboration between Delta State and UNIDO as there is an ongoing project focused on the establishment of a footwear and leather goods training and production center in Asaba, the capital of the state.
UNIDO is expected to provide capacity building for the state's personnel in micro-credit models and operations as well as provide associate expert programme. Under the human capacity development programme, the UN agency will provide possibilities for prospective professionals and staff of the Delta State Ministry of Poverty Alleviation to gain valuable experience in the international environment.
The programme will give talented individuals from across Delta State the opportunity to pursue careers in development with hands-on experience in multi-lateral technical co-operation at UNIDO Headquarters in Vienna.
Uduaghan's agreement with UNIDO is a continuation of his programme of providing sustainable institutional frameworks for small and medium scale enterprises to develop through access to cheap funds and expertise for better management of the businesses.
On Uduaghan's entourage to the meeting with UNIDO were Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah; Commerce and Industry counterpart, Dr. Kingsley Emu and that of Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Antonia Ashiedu. And on the UNIDO side Mr. Phippe Sholtes and Aurelia Calabro.