DOVER — The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA), in partnership with World Trade Center Delaware, welcomed two trade delegations from West Africa last week as part of ongoing efforts to expand First State agricultural opportunities into new markets.

On Wednesday, Nov. 19, officials hosted representatives from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal. Discussions centered on poultry and soybean exports, irrigation techniques, and marketing opportunities. The delegation also toured the Port of Wilmington before traveling to Washington, D.C., where they promoted commodities including cashews, cocoa, coffee, and fertilizer.

Delegation attendees included Moussa Koné of Côte d’Ivoire, managing director of Update Consulting International and founder of the Akwaba African Diaspora Festival, and Eric Schneider, founder of RéseauLink LLC. Schneider, a U.S. Fulbright alumnus, previously managed development grants supporting youth, agriculture, and entrepreneurship at the U.S. African Development Foundation.

On Monday, Nov. 24, DDA Secretary Wm. Donald Clifton II and Deputy Secretary Chris Brosch joined an official visit and award ceremony at Dover City Hall with a delegation from Ogun State, Nigeria. During the event, Nigerian officials announced the allocation of 24.7 acres (10 hectares) of land for agricultural partnership and collaborative development with the City of Dover.

“This initiative will serve as a cornerstone for joint agricultural research, mechanized farming, and youth agro-entrepreneurship,” said Ogunsola Adesina Lanre, executive chairman of Obafemi Owode local government in Ogun State. “This is a partnership that will see our farmers, agronomists, and policymakers share knowledge and innovations that can transform local economies and ensure food security for both our communities.”

Later that day, the Nigerian delegation toured Hanover Foods Corp. in Clayton, which processes 40 million pounds of local vegetables annually.

World Trade Center Delaware President Carla Stone emphasized the importance of these exchanges: “We value our partnership with the Department of Agriculture and our joint efforts to help Delaware’s agriculture sector expand globally, improve profitability, and create more jobs.”

Secretary Clifton echoed the sentiment, noting, “We are always interested in building relationships and finding new markets for our products. It’s important to establish productive relationships whenever possible and constantly promote what First State agriculture has to offer.”