Africa’s incorporated society of planters launched, plans value addition for farmers

The Incorporated Society of Planters (ISP), African Chapter has been launched in Abuja with the aim to promote value addition in farming and also promote the general interests of the planting profession.

Launching the ISP African Chapter in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari said the occasion marks a significant milestone in the development of the agricultural sector not only in Nigeria, but across the African continent.

He said the establishment of the society underscores the collective commitment in advancing the interest of planters and promoting sustainable agricultural practices that are crucial to the prosperity and wellbeing of our people.

“Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy, providing livelihood for millions of farmers and contributing significantly to our nation’s food security, economic growth and social development.

“The theme of today’s launch ‘sustainable plantation agriculture for Africa’s future’ resonates with our national priority and aspirations”, the Minister said.

In his Keynote address, the Embed Advisor (Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships) African Development Bank (AfDB), Richard-Mark Mbaram said the launch of the ISP Africa Chapter aligns perfectly with the Bank’s objectives.

He said by bringing together agricultural experts, industry stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers, the ISP fosters a collaborative environment that promotes innovation, knowledge sharing, and the adoption of sustainable practices in agriculture.

Mbaram further stated that by supporting initiatives such as the ISP Africa Chapter, the AfDB aims to leverage agricultural development as a catalyst for broader economic transformation across the continent.

“Our goal is to modernise agriculture by introducing advanced farming techniques, improving access to quality seeds and fertilizers, and investing in irrigation infrastructure. The ISP’s commitment to excellence in plantation management will play a crucial role in achieving these objectives

“Food security is a cornerstone of the AfDB’s mission. By supporting initiatives that increase crop yields and reduce post-harvest losses, the ISP Africa Chapter contributes directly to this goal, ensuring that African nations can feed their populations and reduce dependence on food imports

“Smallholder farmers are the heart of Africa’s agricultural sector. The ISP’s focus on capacity building and professional development will empower these farmers, improve their productivity, and enhance their livelihoods, thereby promoting inclusive economic growth

“Sustainability is at the core of our development agenda. The ISP’s emphasis on sustainable plantation practices will help mitigate the impacts of climate change, protect natural resources, and ensure the long-term viability of Africa’s agricultural sector”, he noted.

Furthermore, Mbaram stated that the establishment of the ISP Africa Chapter represents a paradigm shift in the agricultural industry on our continent, and the initiative is poised to transform how Africa approaches agriculture by fostering collaboration, innovation, and the adoption of sustainable practices.

The Chairman ISP African Chapter, Dr Shermal Perera said they would focus on educating farmers and training them on crops of their choice to develop agriculture in Nigeria.

“Generally, what you can see is education coming into the Incorporated Society of Planters, there will be capacity building which means people that are undergoing farming will be able to get tertiary education and will be able to get secondary education or even go to the point of even getting training on any of the crops that they are developing in Nigeria.

“This will give them the chance to basically have better production and ultimately better money for themselves and their families.

Also, the Proterm Vice Chairman of ISP, Africa, Fatai Afolabi said in the context of Africa, they are targeting farmers all over the continent, and their expectation is to be able to impact on them through value addition by building their capacities.

“If we want to obtain similar results in our agriculture space in terms of productivity, then we have to start now and practice the profession as being done in other advanced climes and that is why we are focusing on capacity building”, Afolabi added.

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