The Delta state Government has stated its readiness to partner with Michigan state University for the development of agriculture in the state.

Governor  Ifeanyi Okowa , stated this today in Asaba when scholars of agriculture from the Michigan state University paid him a courtesy visit.

The Governor, represented by the Secretary to State Government, Hon. Festus  Ovie Agas , said the policy thrust of the present administration was anchored on the SMART agenda,adding that one of the ways to actualise it was through agriculture to provide gainful employment for Deltans.

He expressed happiness with the group for the collaboration, especially in the training of students  and Professors from  Delta state.

While saying that the state government had  embarked  on series of programmes including oil palm development, Aqua culture,rice production as well as collaborating with the CBN in the agricultural  sector, the Governor expressed the hope that the partnership would be mutually beneficial.

The leader of the group,Assistant Professor, international Development, Department of agriculture,food and Resource Economics, Onyikan Tasie, said they were in the state to partner with government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Delta state University towards developing strong agricultural policies in the state.

He said the partnership would involve the training if students of agriculture in the state..
Mr. Inyikan further noted that their  programme cut across seven states including Delta, Ebonyi, Niger,Benue among others.

He stated that Michigan state University was the fourth best University  of agriculture in the world and said they were ready to work with  government  to develop  a viable agricultural sector in in line with the administration's SMART agenda.