₦airaland Forum

•••As FG Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Agribusiness

By Henshaw NYONG in Uyo.

Posted by Ubong ASSAM Jnr, Lagos


The Uyo Agribusiness International Conference has achieved a historic milestone, bringing together global experts and stakeholders from countries including Thailand and Indonesia to foster new perspectives on agribusiness sustainability in Nigeria.

Our Correspondent reports that the well-publicized event, which was held at Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort, had one of its largest conference rooms filled to the brim with participants, experts, and stakeholders in the sector.

Declaring the Federal Government’s firm commitment to the sector, Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, underscored President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s focus on driving agriculture as a viable business to boost economic growth and secure food sustainability.

Kyari highlighted the government’s strategic investment incentives, designed to promote a stable economic environment for both local and foreign investors. These incentives, he noted, include tax holidays, exemptions, and other measures shaped by current policies, company performance, and international investment agreements.

“One of the cardinal reforms in the agricultural sector is transforming agriculture into a business from the old developmental approach,” Kyari stated, adding that the administration remains dedicated to enhancing agricultural value chains to maximize productivity, particularly in areas of Nigeria’s competitive advantage.

Kyari praised the timing of the conference, saying it aligns with President Tinubu’s recent state of emergency on food security, aimed at advancing an agricultural revolution and driving industrialization for wealth and job creation. The Minister further reiterated that the Federal Government is committed to enabling policies that strengthen the agribusiness economy, addressing domestic food security, wealth creation, and encouraging private sector investment.

The Minister assured stakeholders of continued collaboration with Akwa Ibom and other state governments and the private sector, with a specific focus on equipping Nigerian youth and women with technical, entrepreneurial, and marketing skills to succeed in agribusiness.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Trade and Investment in Akwa Ibom State, Dr. John Etim, who addressed the conference, emphasized the impact of the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno on agribusiness development.

He noted that agriculture remains a priority within the state’s economic blueprint, aimed at adding significant value to the state’s growth and stability.

With the theme “Uyo 2024: Unlocking Agribusiness Opportunities for Economic Sustainability,” the three-day conference drew participation from key stakeholders, including financial institutions, farmers, and private sector operators, all sharing the goal of achieving sustainable agricultural growth and economic transformation in Nigeria.