In a proactive response to the looming food crisis and to spur economic growth, the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG) has launched an ambitious initiative to engage farmers across the nation in meaningful discussions about sustainable agricultural practices. Their mission? To elevate productivity and boost farmers’ income while fostering resilience in the face of impending challenges.
The recent two-day Agribusiness workshop, held at the picturesque Nike Lake Resort in Enugu, gathered agricultural stakeholders from the southeastern region. The event equipped farmers with cutting-edge knowledge and essential tools, empowering them to embrace modern, sustainable agricultural policies that enable them to thrive with greater efficiency.
NABG is wholeheartedly committed to nurturing the entire agribusiness value chain, encompassing input and output markets, export avenues, equipment, and consumer food production. With a clear focus on these critical sectors, the organization seeks to ignite growth and transformation within the agricultural realm while tackling food insecurity head-on.
During the workshop, Jafa Umar, the Director General of NABG, highlighted the urgency of arming farmers with insights into the latest agribusiness trends and policies vital for agricultural industrialization.
Umar highlighted the organization’s innovative approach, stating, “We have implemented state-of-the-art technology to ensure the sustainability of our initiatives through a robust feedback mechanism.”
He elaborated on NABG’s diverse initiatives, ranging from policy advocacy to capacity-building efforts, aimed at enlightening farmers about crucial policies that could significantly enhance their livelihoods.
“We’re focusing on critical policies, including the seed policy, which ensures farmers access the right seeds and support from the outset, and the fertilizer control policy, guiding them on the appropriate fertilizers to use and when and where to obtain them.
“The conversations won’t stop here; we’re leveraging technology to keep the dialogue alive post-workshop. Our feedback mechanism enables farmers and stakeholders to maintain momentum and share their insights,” he concluded.
Adding to the conversation, Patrick Nwabueze, the Enugu State Commissioner for Agricultural and Agro-Industrialization, expressed the government’s steadfast commitment to establishing the state as the nation’s primary food hub and a significant exporter of agricultural products.
He commended the workshop organizers for their dedication to fostering agribusiness growth and expressed the state’s eagerness to partner with agribusiness investors to achieve food self-sufficiency, both locally and beyond.
“Governor Peter Mbah has laid the groundwork for investors to come together with us. His administration has prioritized agriculture as a central pillar, ensuring that farmers receive the training and resources they need to thrive.
“At the beginning of Governor Mbah’s administration, we acquired 300,000 hectares of farmland focusing on large-scale commercial farming. To date, over 47,000 hectares have been allocated to private investors for vital crop cultivation, such as cassava, maize, rice, soybeans, sorghum, oil palm, cashew, and yam, alongside 115,600 hectares farmed by our dedicated smallholder farmers. These initiatives are crucial to expanding production and securing food stability,” he noted.
In a heartfelt plea, Chief Tobiah Iwu of the Imo State Farmers Association raised pressing concerns regarding the security issues and the delayed distribution of essential farm inputs adversely affecting farmers in the Southeast.
“For successful collaboration between farmers and relevant stakeholders, we must confront the critical issue of insecurity, which jeopardizes food security,” he asserted.
He stressed the importance of adhering to the farming calendar, explaining, “Planting on time significantly boosts results. Timely governmental and agency support is vital for enhancing crop yields, particularly through the early provision of farm inputs to maximize productivity.”
Dr. Ignatius Onah, Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Ebonyi State chapter, emphasized the transformative impact of training in equipping Nigerian farmers with internationally recognized practices that elevate local agricultural products for export.
“Such sensitization is essential for empowering farmers and enhancing the export potential of Nigerian agricultural goods. It underscores the government’s commitment to advancing agriculture. Our training has unveiled better methods to package our products appealingly for international markets. In Ebonyi State, the government’s significant efforts in supplying essential inputs and seedlings have left us optimistic for a fruitful harvest this year.”
The project is one of the various initiatives supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation to tackle the food crisis in Nigeria and Africa at large.
