Representatives from IITA–CGIAR recently participated at the just-concluded Feed Nigeria Summit organized by Agroinnovate Nigeria and their partners.
The two-day event was a platform for private, public, diplomatic, and development stakeholders to discover investment opportunities and the role of the various stakeholders in the agro-industry. Financial institutions, farmers, agripreneurs, community leaders, angel donors, and Fin-Tech organizations were also given a voice to express views on collaborative efforts to improve the sector. The Deal Brokerage Room, one of the event highlights, provided an opportunity to introduce investors to economic prospects in agribusiness and was an avenue to learn about agribusiness markets worldwide, digital financing, import and export opportunities, and profitability in the agri-food system.
The Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, who was represented by the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammed Abubakar, commended the organizers of the Feed Nigeria Summit and their partners for conceptualizing an all-stakeholder conference for exchanging ideas to improve food security in the country.
Speaking on the role of IITA in the agriculture sector, the NEXTGEN Cassava Project Lead and National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI) Executive Director, Prof Chiedozie Egesi, stated that IITA, through its research, introduces agricultural technologies, which increase farmers’ yield and income for improved livelihood. He mentioned that these technologies are disseminated globally through collaboration with key stakeholders familiar with the economic opportunities available in the sector.
He mentioned that IITA also encourages youth and women to venture into agriculture as a business.
Speaking on the role of youth and women in agriculture, I-Youth Executive Manager Aline Mugisho stated that IITA’s youth in agribusiness initiative gives young people the opportunity to learn the technologies developed by IITA and create sustainable agribusinesses for themselves and others.
She stressed that collaboration with stakeholders in the public and private sectors facilitated the implementation of supportive projects, which in the last six months created jobs for over 3,000 young people in the agriculture sector.
However, she appealed to the government and other stakeholders to prioritize implementing favorable policies to accelerate youth involvement in agriculture.
Contributed by Adetola Adenmosun
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