Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the federal republic of Nigeria has urged the federal government to prioritise food security by offering single-digit interest loans to farmers. Obasanjo recently made the call at the 2024 Agriconnect summit, themed “Bridging the Divide: Fostering Collaboration and Innovation for a Sustainable Agricultural Future,” held at the Landmark Event Center, Victoria Island, Lagos. He said “Any country that offers more than a single-digit loan to people in agribusiness is not helping farmers.” The former president, himself a farmer, is of the opinion that “We must recognize food as a national security need and provide the necessary financial support to farmers.”
Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, Group Managing Director, Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Limited harped on the need for policy coherence to enhance market access and build resilient food systems in Nigeria, while he underscored the urgent need for concerted efforts to address the challenges facing the agricultural industry and to unlock its full potential.
Oduntan in his remarks during panel discussion said “We have all the right ideas to take the agribusiness to where it should be but a major challenge has been the implementation of policies. In my over 30 years of experience in the agricultural sector, I have witnessed numerous policy shifts with each new Minister of Agriculture. This inconsistency hampers the progress of our agribusiness,” So, how can this stop? He said, “We need a central coordinating agency to provide direction, allocate resources, and ensure the sustained implementation of agricultural policies.”
He further said that as Nigeria strives to enhance market access and build resilient food systems, Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Limited remains committed to driving positive change and fostering collaboration within the agricultural ecosystem.
Dignitaries who graced the summit were Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, and Ms. Abisola Olusanya, The Honourable Commissioner of Agriculture, Lagos State, representing the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Mr. Gbolaro Olulade (Head Corporate Strategy, Flour Mills Nigeria), Ms. Ruth Abisola Olusanya (Honourable Commissioner of Agriculture, Lagos State), Mr. John Sunday (Senior Associate. Bloonfield LP), Mr. Luther Lawoyin (Founder and CEO, Pricepally), Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR (Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria), Mr Samson Ogbole (Founder and Team Lead, Soiless Farm Labs), Dr. Ayoola Oduntan (Group Managing Director, Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery), Mr. Olakunle Olusanya (Executive Director & General Secretary Fan Milk & Danone), Dr. Adebowale Akande (Director and CEO BIP International Institute of Tropical Agriculture IITA).
