ibironkeeniola 
The Ekiti State Government has partnered with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to leverage the state’s agricultural value chains and significantly bolster its priority crops for export.
The NEPC’s role in this mix is to promote the export of a single crop with the highest comparative advantage, from the state.
State Commissioner for Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr. Muyiwa Olumilua, made this disclosure to newsmen over the weekend.
According to Olumilua, the state was geared for this partnership, taking into consideration the abundance of arable lands and farmers in the state.
He said his ministry had met with the Executive Director of the Council, Mr. Segun Awolowo, who promised to give the necessary support to the state, in achieving its goals of expanding its export capacity.
Olumilua noted that the state was blessed with enough crops with high comparative advantage, such as cassava, rice, yam, bananas, cocoa and cashew, among others.
He said, “Awolowo stated that NEPC is strongly driving the nation’s “zero oil plan” with the aim of diversifying Nigeria’s export capacity, and drastically reducing the country’s dependence on revenue from crude oil exports.
“Awolowo said that NEPC is desirous of forging a strategic partnership with Ekiti State.
“The Executive Director said the Council had set up a field office in Ekiti State, apart from the regional office, to enable it work closer with the state Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.”
SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA