Stakeholders seek new approach to agribusiness development

Stakeholders in the agricultural sector have highlighted a new approach towards addressing the gaps in agriculture especially in transforming it into a business.

The stakeholders who were drawn from the various agricultural value chain lamented that poor quality control on most of the exportable products has been the major challenge militating against the acceptance of local products at the international markets.

They highlighted good policy articulation, adequate working capital, appropriate technology and adequate infrastructure as key to sustainable agribusiness development in Nigeria.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of Agriculture Bureau Association in Abuja at the weekend, an expert in agribusiness, Dr Tony Bello identified non-availability of funds, low quantity of inputs and reduction of participants in the agribusiness as major challenges hindering the growth of agriculture.

He also called for intensified efforts toward boosting the nation’s economy through the development of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs).

Bello further explained that the Agriculture Bureau Association is agribusinesses investors working towards uplifting smallholder farmers to drive inclusive growth for youths and women.

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He recommended that government at all levels should as a matter of urgency intensify awareness about sustainable agribusiness development build agribusiness skills and technological capabilities among firms and her citizen as this would enhance the nation’s annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) positively.

“Our trajectory is taking our destiny into our own hands, we are driving the consumer market, and for the supply of food through the value chain. We want to solve our own constraints as investors. If we focus on the waste alone, we will bring in the right capital”, he added.

Also speaking, the Founder, Women Farmers Advance Network (WOFAN), Mrs Salamatu Garba, highlighted the gaps to include standardisation, poor quality control on most products as the major challenge militating against the acceptance of local products at the local and international markets.

She identified poor packaging as an inhibiting factor, which must be addressed by key players in the sector.

According to her, “issues like aflatoxin, too many pesticides have constituted a lot of problems in goods we are producing in this country.

“We will reduce a lot of waste by transforming it into wealth. This will create a job to encourage youths to come into agriculture.”

Furthermore, the CEO, Green Sahara Farms Limited, Suleiman Dikwa called policies that will enhance agribusiness, with a view to making agribusiness engagement sustainable.

“We want to engage the government and relevant stakeholders so as to create sustainable agribusiness in Nigeria. At the inaugural meeting”.