OAU, Origin Tech join forces to improve food value chain

Origin Tech Group Nigeria Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading food firms, recently signed a strategic partnership with Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) as part of efforts to build collaborative solutions in Nigeria’s food value chain. 

At the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the university’s premises in Osun State, it was noted that the agreement is geared towards delivering strong synergies in end-to-end agricultural value chain, leveraging Origin Tech Group’s proven expertise in agriculture and agribusiness and OAU’s excellence in teaching, research and development.

In a statement made available to BusinessDay, Olusesan Ayeni, executive director of Corporate Services at the Origin Tech Group, said the agreement is anchored in establishing a best-in-class agricultural centre in the Southwest region of Nigeria. 

Read also: Tech in agriculture will create economies of scale that cut prices – Aderibigbe

“It is aimed at harnessing the vast potential of the region in farming through a unique handshake, standing shoulder to shoulder and linking the vast capabilities of Origin Tech Group in large-scale mechanised farming management with the deep knowledge of the University in capacity building and manpower development,” he said.

Ayeni said that the overarching purpose of the agreement is to create a corridor of excellence and opportunities by deepening the Nigeria’s food system, providing impetus, access and necessary exposure to scholars and young minds studying agriculture in the university to a culture of practical, knowledge-driven, modern and smart methods through mechanization that ensures large scale commercial farming system for a food secured nation.

Read also: FAO, African Union lead new push to modernise Africa’s agriculture 

On his part, Adebayo Bamire, vice chancellor of OAU, also expressed the same optimism as Ayeni, noting that the readiness and openness of the university community to worthy initiatives and partnerships such as this, embody the hopes, dreams and aspirations that it holds for the current and future generations of faculty members, scholars and agripreneurs.

“Matching our quest to bring the best opportunities available from industry players such as the likes of Origin Tech Group to boost, scale and shape scholarship initiatives into finely crafted products and services that help deliver food security, employment opportunities and wealth creation.” 

OAU, one of Nigeria’s oldest institutions, is renowned for its beautiful architectural flair and sits on a large expanse of land, including cultivable land for agriculture. 

Ayeni added that the firm cannot think of any institution worthy of such a strategic partnership other than OAU, noting that the environment is not only suited for academic excellence but can also serve as a hub for transforming agricultural productivity, a centre of excellence in mechanisation and exceedingly strong support systems for agriculture

“No other place is more worthy of hosting such an endeavour we are erecting today, other than the highly revered citadel of academic learning, as the Obafemi Awolowo University,” he noted.