-by our correspondent.
There is need for greater Public Private Partnership to upscale the agricultural value chain and enhance the development of agricultural business in Nigeria.
The President of Corporate Farmers International Limited (CFIL), Akin Alabi, made the call during a curtsy visit to his office in Lagos by the Nigerian Association Of Agricultural Journalists (NAAJ).
He said although Nigeria is beginning to identify certain value chains that can yield greater income, the country is yet to attain the level of diversification of its commodities that would endear it to the international community, owing to the capital intensive nature of value addition.
President, Corporate Farmers International, Akin Alabi
“For instance tea is grown in some areas of Nigeria like the Mambila, there is also rice farming in Imota. Processing plants can be constructed close to these plantations for diversification of the commodities into different sophisticated value chains,” he said.
The Agribusiness expert also underscored the importance of stable Government policies to attract more private investments in the sector and boost export. “Government can enhance export of commodities by formulating enabling policies that would outlive many successive administrations as well as assisting local farmers in alliance with the Nigerian Export Promoting Council.”
According to the CFIL President, knowledge and modern technology are very crucial for higher productivity in the agriculture space. ‘To this end, with the support of the Lagos and Ogun state Governments, I have been engaging with incubators to bring up young agripreneurs in Nigeria to embrace modern farming.”
President of NAAJ, Emmanuel Ogbonaya
Earlier, the president of NAAJ, Emmanuel Ogbonaya, in his address commended Alabi for his selfless contributions towards developing Agribusiness in the country, noting that his efforts to modernize the sector through awareness and technology, has not gone unnoticed while urging him not to relent especially as the country looks to maximize the potential of the sector.
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