The Hon. Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, has revealed the Ministry’s readiness to work with Nigerian Agribusiness Group (NABG), in translating shared aspirations into actionable outcomes for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Speaking during a courtesy visit from the Nigerian Agribusiness Group (NABG), led by its President, Arch Kabiru Ibrahim to his office in Abuja recently, the Minister stated that “I am confident that our deliberations will open up new pathways for collaboration, innovation, and measurable impact in Nigeria’s food and agricultural ecosystem”.
He noted that NABG was a private sector platform and also an umbrella of organisation that leads the agribusiness sector in Nigeria, working together to grow Nigeria’s agricultural economy, create jobs and lift millions out of poverty.
He added that the meeting was both timely and strategic, “as we work to implement Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, agriculture remains central to our efforts to create jobs, reduce poverty, and ensure food and nutrition security for all Nigerians. “
According to him, this requires strong collaboration between the government and the organized private sector, and NABG stands out as a vital bridge in that endeavour.
Kyari outlined the key areas of the alignment to include:
• Strengthening public-private partnerships to accelerate agribusiness development,
• Supporting the implementation and adoption of important agricultural policies such as the National Seed Policy, Dairy Policy, Tomato Policy, and the National Quality Policy,
• Advancing approval processes for strategic frameworks like the Agricultural Commodity Standards and Grading System, Climate-Smart Agriculture Framework, and the National Integrated Agribusiness Agenda;
• Deepening access to finance mechanisms for farmers and agribusiness operators; and
• Reviewing the outcomes of the NABG Presidential Roundtable and other initiatives that align with our national vision.
He lauded the efforts of NABG to amplify private sector participation in policy and program implementation, which is commendable and resonates with the country’s drive to reposition agriculture as a business, not just a development activity.
Speaking further, the Hon. Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, CON, stated that agriculture is the future of the country.
He urged the group to strive to engage the government at all levels in setting policy directions and regulatory reforms to enable sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth.
Earlier in his speech,the President, NABG, Arch Kabiru Ibrahim, said that NABG is working together as stakeholders in the agriculture sector to diversify the economy of Nigeria away from oil and gas towards agricultural industrialization.
He noted that the group recognizes its role as the engine of economic growth, with the government creating the enabling environment for agribusiness to thrive.
Highlight of the event was presentation of souvenirs to the Ministers by the President of NABG
Signed
Ogbuagu Charity Chika
Principal Information Officer
For: Director Information
17/4/2024
