•Holds 5th edition of Nigeria Maize Conference
By Brown Chimezie
Bayer Nigeria Limited, a multinational Life Science Company has announced the 5th edition of the Nigeria Maize Conference scheduled to hold on April 26, 2023, in Abuja, Nigeria in a hybrid event (Physical and Virtual).
Themed ‘Much More Maize: Engaging Stakeholders for a Sustainable Maize Value Chain’.
This 5th edition has been designed to serve as an engagement among the key stakeholders in the Maize Value Chain in Nigeria. It provides a platform for interaction and networking among Growers, Aggregators, Processors, Industry Professionals, and Policymakers.
The previous editions of the Nigeria Maize Conference have recorded huge success with participants describing the event as a major stakeholder engagement for Policy Makers and Farmers while providing avenues for discussion of divergent issues and discourse that have effectively shaped policy formulation in the Maize Value Chain.
In this year’s edition, Bayer would also be showcasing its DEKALB® Hybrid Maize Seed and Her crop protection portfolio positioned to support growers to achieve the desired production output and in turn boost the country’s overall productivity. All these efforts are geared towards reaffirming Bayer’s commitment to improving food security in Nigeria.
This year’s event is in collaboration with the Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN) will converge key industry stakeholders from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),
Nigerian Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), Nigeria Commodity Exchange, Unity Bank, Babbangona, One Arce Fund, Pandagric Novum; among others.
Speaking ahead of the conference, the Country Manager, Bayer Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Temitope Banjo, stated that this year’s Nigeria Maize Conference being the fifth edition has been positioned to bring stakeholders across the Value Chain together towards providing insights for sustainable collaboration and innovative maize production in Nigeria.
“We are thrilled to announce the 5th edition of the Nigeria Maize Conference. This year’s edition will bring together major stakeholders in the value chain to share insights and ideas for the growth of the ecosystem.
This year’s conference will attract hundreds of participants, including Farmers, Growers, Aggregators, Processors, Industry Professionals, Policymakers, and representatives from Government Agencies. The event will provide a unique platform for participants to share knowledge and explore new innovations and sustainable practices in maize production,’ he said.
Expected at this year’s event are top industry experts which include; some of the keynote speakers and panelists such as; Dr. Bello Abubakar, The President, of Maize Association of Nigeria; Dr. Phillip Olusegun Ojo, The Director of the National Agricultural Seeds Council; Mr. Akpa Onallo, National President, the Poultry Association of Nigeria; Mrs. Patricia Ahunanya, Head of Agribusiness, Unity Bank; Kola Masha, Executive Director Babangona; and Johannes Pieter, General Manager, Farming Operations Pandagric Novum.