NONSO NDUMANYA
Analysts have estimated that the over N1.3trillion
was spent on importation of food last year, representing about 5.24 per cent of
GDP. Thus, it is not surprising that revamping the Agriculture Sector has been
declared a central objective of the Transformation Agenda of the President
Goodluck Jonathan administration.
In the face of unstable oil prices, a
significant improvement in terms of quantity and quality of agriculture value –
chain will ensure food security, diversify the economy, enhance foreign
exchange earnings as well as attract improvement in the nation’s
infrastructure, especially power and roads. To this end, BusinessDay
conferences is organising its 2012 Agribusiness and Food Security Summit aimed
at enhancing Agriculture Value – Chain for Economic Prosperity. The summit will
examine the role of the private sector in achieving the transformation agenda
as well as the place of agriculture support funds in closing funding gaps in
agric business in Nigeria.
Seasoned professionals with proven track
record in agricultural sector will be brought in as speakers at this Summit
slated for June 7, 2012 at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The summit which will also examine the methods and approaches that will best
deliver results for the transformation agenda is expected to have in attendance;
managing directors and chief executive officers, private and government
agencies, directors/heads of agriculture institutes, including corporate
individuals who aspire to increase their knowledge of agribusiness. With
keynote speech by Akinwunmi Adesina, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and
Rural Development, the summit will feature experiences from stakeholders in the
sector while focusing on infrastructure development in power, transportation
(rail and roads) including investment opportunities and challenges in the
Agriculture sector as regards production, processing, storage, marketing and
logistics.
Original article Here
No comments:
Post a Comment