Revolutionizing Agriculture Through Mechanized Farming for Enhanced Food and Nutrition Security
In a determined drive to propel the Agricultural Sector into a new era of development, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in partnership with CBNetwork Global Concepts and esteemed collaborators, orchestrated a ground-breaking exhibition focused on elevating mechanized farming practices. The pivotal event, aptly themed “Transforming Africa’s Agriculture through Technology and Innovation,” unfolded recently at the prestigious International Conference Centre in Abuja. Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, passionately advocated for the pivotal role of the Africa Agric Machines Equipment and Technology Expo (AAMETEX 2023) in revolutionizing the farming landscape, fostering direct agricultural foreign investments, amplifying foreign exchange earnings, and fostering a plethora of new business opportunities.
During his compelling address, Sen. Abdullahi emphasised the interconnectedness between technological advancements and ensuring food security. He underscored the pivotal role of modern agricultural equipment in augmenting production and processing efficiencies, laying a robust foundation for bolstering the nation’s food and nutrition security.
The forum, according to Sen. Abdullahi, stands as a beacon of collaboration and partnership opportunities among diverse stakeholders, aiming to ideate solutions and navigate the myriad challenges that confront the agricultural sector across the African continent. It serves as a catalyst for dialogue surrounding the economic, political, and social landscapes, envisaging substantial impacts on the burgeoning agricultural sector’s growth trajectory. Furthermore, the forum aspires to forge synergistic relationships across governmental agencies and various strata of governance, fostering an inclusive environment conducive to embracing technological innovations.
Reflecting on the administration’s commitments, as championed by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, the Hon. Minister reiterated the core focus on ‘Food Security, Fighting Corruption, and Economic Growth.’ The Agricultural Sector’s pivotal role in steering economic diversification and growth resonates profoundly within this vision.
Highlighting the Ministry’s proactive engagements, Sen. Abdullahi illuminated collaborative efforts with both local and international entities. These endeavours include bilateral and multilateral agreements with entities such as the Brazilian Government and other international Agro-machinery companies. These collaborations aim to facilitate the procurement of fundamental agricultural machinery, which is slated to be disbursed among Nigerian farmers. The bilateral pact with Brazil alone is set to import 10,000 tractors and 50,000 processing equipment units in Completely Knocked Down (CKD) condition, to be distributed across all Local Government Areas in the Federation.
Echoing the sentiments, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, represented by the Director of Special Duties, Mrs. Fausat Lawal, stressed the pivotal role of the forum in augmenting agricultural raw material production, advancing the agri-food value chain, and fostering the growth of the agro-industrial sector. This initiative is poised to elevate Nigeria’s standing in global markets, ensuring that food products manufactured in the country adhere to international standards, thereby amplifying their value from primary processing to secondary products.
Further enriching the discourse, Engr. Abubakar Abdullahi, Director of the Federal Department of Agriculture in the Ministry, lauded the Expo’s enlightening nature, particularly for Nigerian farmers and agro-marketers. The event serves as an illuminating platform to harness the untapped potential for mechanization in agriculture, with the aim of significantly amplifying agricultural production.
Adding a corporate perspective, Eze Nwakanma, Head of Agribusiness and Sustainability at Union Bank Nigeria Plc, highlighted the Summit’s potential in unraveling latent issues within the sector. He underscored the summit’s role in offering pragmatic solutions to foster the growth of Agribusiness and Agriculture across the African continent.
The event culminated in an insightful tour of the exhibition stands by the Minister of State and other esteemed dignitaries, underscoring the commitment to advancing agricultural innovations for a robust and progressive future.
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