By Merit Ibe
Former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has encouraged businesses to join the agriculture sector to create employment and curb insecurity.
Obasanjo made the remark yesterday at the 9th International Trade Exhibition & Conference on Agrofood, Plastics, Printing and Packaging in Lagos, organised by fairtrade Messe, where he noted that there are great opportunities in the agriculture business.
He urged businesses gathered at the fair to treat agriculture with passion as food is very imperative for life.
The former president, who is a farmer, noted that the much hyped food security begins with availability and accessibility of food, lamenting that 40 percent of food is wasted after production for lack of facilities to preserve them.
Obasanjo therefore emphasised the need for partnership with farmers and others in the value chain for sustainability.
He said efforts to facilitate development of agribusiness and value chains will free many youths from idleness and get them engaged. According to him, agricultural growth based on productivity-enhancing investments and the integration of Small businesses into markets will create employment,wealth creation, eliminate and reduce poverty, generate income and improve the security situation,among others.
He also noted that with thriving agriculture, the unemployment rate will drastically reduce and security would improve, urging government to make agriculture sector more glamorous and enticing to attract youths to be engaged.
Encouraging businesses to go into agriculture business, he said the sector could grow when there is sustained policy, availability of finance.
“Farmers want to be able to plan and achieve their aims but importation will deny them inputs. We need to think about what can be done to make the rural areas attractive to the youth.
Managing Director of fairtrade Messe, Paul Maerz, noted that over 140 world-class exhibitors from across the globe, were showcasing tailored products and solutions for the Nigerian market at the three-day fair which began yesterday.
“As Africa’s largest economy continues to invest in agrofood and plastprintpack solutions, products and technologies, we stand at the threshold of unprecedented opportunities for all market participants.
Despite significant investments in local food production, Maerz said Nigeria remains one of Africa’s foremost food importers and food imports are surging further. Nigeria emerges as a leader in plastics technology investments, with remarkable growth rates.
“Nigerian imports of printing & paper processing technology continue to surge, securing Nigeria’s position as the second- largest investor in sub- Saharan Africa.
Nigeria leads in packaging technology investments in Africa before South Africa and Egypt, signalling bright prospects for sustainable growth.”
He noted that the rapid population growth from 216 million in 2024 to 411 million in 2050 demands sustainable investments in Nigeria’s agrofood and plastprintpack industry and together, “we are poised to meet this challenge head-on.”
On his part, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari appreciated the organisers of the fair, aimed at addressing critical issues concerning food and nutrition security, with a focus on post-harvest loss reduction, proper packaging and processing for improved nutrient retention in our region.
Kyari underscored the pivotal role that cold chain infrastructure plays in safeguarding the integrity of agricultural produce and ensuring food security for the populace.
“Nigeria, like many other West African nations, grapples with significant post-harvest losses, exacerbated by inadequate cold chain facilities and inefficient supply chain systems. Post-harvest losses remain a pressing concern in Nigeria, with estimates suggesting that up to 40 percent of our agricultural produce is lost annually due to inadequate storage and transportation facilities.
“This alarming statistic represents not only a substantial economic loss to our farmers but also poses a grave threat to food security and nutrition in our nation.
“Cold chain infrastructure, encompassing refrigeration, transportation, and storage facilities, plays a crucial role in preserving the quality and nutritional value of agricultural produce from farm to fork. In this regard, the Nigerian government is committed to fostering partnerships and collaborations with both public and private stakeholders to strengthen our cold chain networks.
“However, our journey towards achieving a resilient and inclusive cold chain ecosystem still has a long way to go. We must redouble our efforts to bridge existing infrastructure gaps, foster public-private partnerships and harness innovative technologies to optimize cold chain operations. By leveraging emerging technologies such as IoT-enabled monitoring systems, blockchain traceability, and renewable energy solutions, we can enhance the efficiency, transparency, and sustainability of our cold chain networks.”