The 5th agribusiness international conference taking place in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, has secured the partnership and endorsement of key stakeholders, including UN agencies, intended to boost agriculture and food security.
With the theme, ‘Accelerating agribusiness transformation, unlocking value chains to achieve food security, nutrition sustainability, job creation, poverty alleviation and national prosperity,’ the conference is expected to draw participants from entrepreneurs, farmers, agricultural experts, top government officials including governors and federal ministers in charge of agriculture, trade and investments.
Howard Usen, chairman of the central planning committee, who made this known while briefing a representative of Governor Umo Eno, said preparations for the conference were progressing following the strategic meeting of the agribusiness unit, office of the governor, adding that the committee was working with key partners to deliver a well-coordinated and productive conference.
According to him, the meeting provided an opportunity for the committee to brief the director of agribusiness unit on the conference’s level of preparedness, programme planning, stakeholders engagement adding that the conference ‘will provide an opportunity to bring government officials, industry experts, farmers, investors and development partners together to ‘identify practical ways to strengthen agricultural value chains and expand agribusiness opportunities,’ he said.
‘All hands are on deck to ensure a successful conference, one that promotes meaningful dialogue, practical partnership and lasting value for Akwa Ibom State and the wider agribusiness community,’ Usen said.
In his remarks, Ofonmbuk Nelson, director of agribusiness, governor’s office, expressed delight over the conference, which he said was in line with the state government’s emphasis on agriculture as seen in the Arise Agenda, an economic blueprint of the state government.
The conference has received formal endorsements from the federal ministry of agriculture and food security and the federal ministry of trade and investment as both permanent secretaries have confirmed their participation.
Also, representatives of key United Nations agencies, including the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), United Nations Industrial Organisation (UNIDO) are also expected at the conference. Usen explained that the conference was designed to provide a meeting point for policymakers, agribusiness experts, farmers, processors, financiers and technology providers to provide solutions on the challenges facing agriculture and agribusiness.
He said the key areas of discussions would include agricultural value chain development, food security and nutrition, processing and value addition, post-harvest loss reduction and access to finance.
Other areas he said would also include climate resilience, trade and market access, skills development and the participation of women and young people in agribusiness.
Usen also disclosed that exhibitors would have platforms to present their products, technologies, service and investment opportunities to network with conference participants while farmers, cooperatives and entrepreneurs would also be able to connect with relevant organisations and explore potential business and institutional partnerships.