₦airaland Forum

N'Delta Minister, Govs, Global Leaders Storm Uyo For 3rd Agribusiness Conference October 27

Posted By Ubong ASSSAM Jnr.



All is set for the 3rd Agribusiness Roundtable International Conference, which will take place from Sunday, 27th October to Tuesday, 29th October, 2024, at the prestigious Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The conference, which has as its theme: "Unlocking Agribusiness Opportunities for Economic Sustainability," promises to attract key stakeholders, innovators, and global leaders in the agricultural sector and will offer a unique platform for the exchange of ideas and best practices aimed at advancing Nigeria’s agribusiness landscape.

According to a press statement issued by Howard Usen, South-South Zonal Coordinator of the Nigeria Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Development Initiative (NAADI) and Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, the event will bring together over 500 delegates, including industry experts, policymakers, and investors from various parts of the world.

One of the key highlights of the three-day conference will be the groundbreaking ceremony for the Centre for Innovative and Sustainable Agriculture (CISA), in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The centre is aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity in the South-South region, focusing on fish, seafood, vegetables, palm oil, and cassava, with a view to boosting both export and local consumption.

The release further indicates that the conference will feature exhibitions, a cooking challenge, and an awards ceremony, along with discussions on crucial topics, including youth and women involvement in agribusiness as a strategy for reducing unemployment and poverty, leveraging the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for export growth, and building resilient food systems through climate-smart agricultural practices.

Governor Umo Eno, Ph.D, will serve as the Chief Host, with the President of the Senate; Senator Godswill Akpabio as Special Guest, while six South-South Governors and other selected Governors from across the country are expected to attend. The keynote address will be delivered by the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Aneti.

Other distinguished guests include the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Joseph Utsev, and the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Hon. Abubakar Momoh.

The 3rd Agribusiness Roundtable International Conference, which aligns with the ARISE Agenda of Governor Eno, aims to position Akwa Ibom as a leading hub for agricultural innovation and development in Nigeria, while also creating employment opportunities within the agricultural sector.

The conference seeks to unlock new agribusiness opportunities, address key sectoral challenges, and promote economic sustainability. Participants will explore a broad range of issues, including sustainable storage facilities to curb post-harvest losses, alternative energy sources like compressed natural gas (CNG) for agribusiness operations, and the role of sustainable agricultural practices in enhancing Nigeria’s export potential, especially under AGOA and AfCFTA frameworks.

During the event, the Agribusiness Development and Enterprise Award (ADEA) will be presented to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the advancement of sustainable agriculture, rural development, and food security.