Stakeholders in Nigeria Agribusiness and Agro-industry Development Initiative (NAADI) have thrown their weight behind the government of President Bola Tinubu in the efforts to achieve food security in the country. That determination was expressed at the second agribusiness roundtable conference, which was designed to address the challenge of food insecurity and value chain development in the country.
Mr Howard Usen, the South-South coordinator of the Nigeria Agribusiness and Agro-industry Development Initiative (NAADI) who also doubles as chairman, central planning committee had said the conference which was held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital would also focus on harnessing opportunities in the agriculture and allied businesses towards global exports. He added that the event would further equip leaders in the food sector with knowledge of international standards.
The conference gave birth to the Centre for Innovative and Sustainable Agriculture (CISA), said to be supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), in addition to other partners. Usen had said 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 further 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 brought together leading experts who through their presentations helped to, according to Usen, “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 NAADI coordinator said CISA is designed 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”.
