The South-South coordinator of the Nigeria Agribusiness and Agro-industry Development Initiative (NAADI) Mr Howard Usen, has said that the second agribusiness roundtable conference will address the challenge of food insecurity and value chain development in the country.
Usen, who doubles as chairman, central planning committee said the conference which is scheduled to take place in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital would also focus on harnessing opportunities in the agriculture and allied businesses towards global exports as well as equip leaders in the food sector with knowledge of international standards.
According to him, the conference will feature the groundbreaking of the Centre for Innovative and Sustainable Agriculture (CISA) to be supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in addition to other partners adding that a fully established CISA would be the leading seat of innovative solutions in value addition to locally produced goods in the south-south and southeast parts of the country.
He said other partners include the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the National Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture as well as the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
“The 3-day conference will bring together leading experts who through their presentations will develop new skill-sets, new approaches, address specific knowledge gaps that will provide a framework for harnessing varied opportunities in agriculture and allied businesses towards global exports, thereby enhancing the export potentials of the non-oil sector.
“The Centre for Innovative and Sustainable Agriculture (CISA) is envisioned to be the leading facility providing innovative solutions in value addition to locally produced goods as well as serving as a major export hub in the region. It will drive value chain development of key commodities and equip leaders in the food sector with the required knowledge,” he said.
Usen who stated this in an interview with Businessday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital said the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is expected to present a paper on “diversification of the Nigerian Economy through the development of agribusiness value chain,’’ during the conference which will take place at Ibom Icon hotel scheduled for Sunday 26th to Tuesday 28th November, 2023.
The conference will have the minister of industry, trade and investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite as the keynote speaker alongside other top personalities and is expected to attract over 300 participants.
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