The president of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), Arch Kabir Ibrahim, has reiterated the significance of agribusiness in driving economic growth and ensuring food security in Nigeria.
At the Presidential Roundtable on Agribusiness in Abuja, he emphasised that agribusiness encompasses all activities related to agricultural production, processing, distribution, and associated services, positioning it as a key sector for national prosperity.
Ibrahim traced the evolution of agribusiness in Nigeria to a necessity-driven transformation aimed at breaking the cycle of subsistence farming.
He recalled a pivotal moment in 2012 when a visiting minister from Accra championed that farmers should not be poor but engage in agriculture as a business.
This ideology resonated with stakeholders, particularly the late Chief Emmanuel Njiwe, a staunch advocate for agribusiness who played a crucial role in forming and leading NABG.
Following the establishment of the NABG Steering Committee, the organisation took proactive steps in policy advocacy, sensitising the government on key agricultural issues.
Ibrahim highlighted some of the group’s milestones, including interventions in the tomato and dairy industries to address production deficits and enhance local value addition.
He also underscored NABG’s commitment to empowering women and youth through targeted initiatives such as the WEFA programme, which facilitated capacity-building workshops across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
A key driver of NABG’s success has been its collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) in lifting smallholder farmers out of poverty.
Ibrahim stressed that agribusiness is not just for farmers but for all participants in the value chain, from producers to distributors, marketers, and exporters.
He urged Nigerians to embrace agribusiness, noting its potential to replicate the agricultural success stories of nations like the Netherlands and the United States.
The event also spotlighted innovative agricultural solutions, including biofortification to enhance the nutritional value of crops like orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.
Ibrahim noted that despite their health benefits, consumer habits and colour preferences often hinder their adoption.
He called on NABG to drive awareness campaigns to encourage greater acceptance of these nutrient-rich crops.
Additionally, the discussion covered the challenge of aflatoxin contamination in maise, a major concern for poultry farmers and food safety advocates. Citing successful interventions in Kenya, Ibrahim emphasised the need for Nigeria to adopt similar strategies, including investing in anti-aflatoxin solutions developed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
He urged agribusiness stakeholders to leverage technology and innovation to enhance agricultural productivity and competitiveness.
As NABG continues championing policies and initiatives promoting sustainable agribusiness, Ibrahim reaffirmed the group’s commitment to forging strategic partnerships to scale its impact. “There is a lot of creativity and effectiveness in advocacy,” he stated, urging stakeholders to collaborate in unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
In his address, the director-general of NABG, Jafar Umar, welcomed participants to the inaugural NABG Perspective Roundtable and described it as a platform for strengthening public-private partnerships in the agricultural sector.
“This engagement is not just an event but the beginning of a transformation dialogue. Sustainable agricultural development cannot be achieved in silos; collaboration is essential,” he stated.
Dr Audu Grema, a senior Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation programme officer, highlighted NABG’s role in shaping agricultural policies.
He commended NABG for its broad-based membership and effective policy advocacy, noting the group’s influence at the National Economic Council and its contributions to the National Food Security Council.
Grema also emphasised the need for stronger enforcement of agricultural policies, particularly in seed and fertiliser regulations, and urged NABG to expand efforts in commodity aggregation and industrial fortification.
“We need to fast-track the adoption of biofortification and industrial fortification to tackle micronutrient deficiencies. Additionally, addressing aflatoxin contamination in maise will significantly improve the quality of locally produced grains,” he added.
The roundtable discussions concluded with a call for sustained investments, innovative partnerships, and policy-driven initiatives to enhance Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Participants expressed optimism that the ongoing reforms and mechanisation efforts will contribute to national food security, economic growth, and the industrialisation of the agribusiness sector.
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