Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Foundation calls for innovative collaboration on sustainable agricultural practices in Nigeria

POSTED ON September 25, 2024 •   Breaking News      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
Agriculture Tool

Participants of the just concluded Business of Agriculture Masterclass 2024 have been urged to continue leveraging the insights gained during the session to build a thriving agricultural business that supports not only economic growth but also food security and environmental sustainability.

Oludare Odusanya, General Manager of the BATN Foundation, made this submission during the three-day programme that brought together key stakeholders, policymakers, and agripreneurs to address the pressing challenges and transformative opportunities within Nigeria’s agriculture sector.

Odusanya expressed the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to empowering rural communities and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.

According to him, “For the past 20 years, BATN Foundation has worked to support smallholder farmers through innovative agricultural initiatives, contributing not only to poverty reduction but also to the achievement of multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly 1,2,6,8,10 & 13”.

The BATN Foundation General Manager also encouraged participants to take full advantage of the masterclass to gain actionable insights that could transform agriculture into a thriving business.

The virtual event, themed, 'Cultivating a Rich Future through Agriculture', was organised by Cluster 5 of the Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG) in collaboration with the British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) Foundation.

Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, in his remarks said: “This event is both timely and relevant, because it aligns perfectly with our mission to ensure food security, economic growth, and sustainable development in Nigeria.”

The minister commended the collaborative efforts of the private sector and international organisations for their unwavering dedication to advancing agriculture, emphasising that the future of the sector depends on transitioning from traditional farming practices to innovative approaches.

Co-chair of UN PSAG Cluster 5, Dr. Mories Atoki, who highlighted the importance of innovation in her remarks, said: “Innovation is the seed from which transformative changes occur. By fostering a data-driven approach, we can optimise agricultural value chains and develop scalable farming practices that benefit our communities.”

She, however, called for new investment models that attract global interest and manage risks effectively.

The Business of Agriculture Masterclass 2024 held between September 17 and September 19, 2024 sought to equip both aspiring and established agric entrepreneurs with knowledge and strategies to turn agriculture into a profitable, sustainable business.

The event also aimed to foster a new era of innovation in Nigeria’s agricultural practices by providing participants with tools to enhance productivity and overcome the sector’s longstanding challenges, such as outdated farming methods, lack of technology, limited investment, and youth disengagement.

The masterclass featured 10 expertly curated sessions, ranging from crop production, agri-finance, and agro-processing to animal husbandry, aquaculture, and agricultural technology.

The opening session, titled, 'Planting the Seeds of Innovation: Opening the Pathway to Agricultural Transformation,' set the stage for a series of discussions focused on adopting innovative solutions and a business mindset to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s agriculture.

The Business of Agriculture Masterclass 2024 underscored the critical role that agri-preneurs play in the future of Nigeria’s economy, given that agriculture contributes about 24% to the nation’s GDP and employs nearly 70% of its workforce.

Industry leaders, including Oba Dokun Thompson, the Oloni of Eti-Oni, and Segun Awolowo, National Coordinator of the National Committee AFCTA Nigeria Office, echoed the sentiment that innovation, technology, and private-sector collaboration are essential for driving the agriculture sector forward.

The masterclass concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing Nigeria’s agriculture sector through sustainable and innovative practices.

READ ALSO
Tinubu Launches National Mechanised Farming Programme to Tackle Food Insecurity
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 23, 2025 0

In a bid to combat food insecurity and encourage youth participation in farming, President Bola Tinu...

READ ALSO
Oil Prices Surge Amid U.S. Airstrikes on Iran's Nuclear Sites
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 23, 2025 0

Oil prices rose on Monday while the dollar gained strength following the U.S. airstrikes on Iran's n...

READ ALSO
FG Coordinates Evacuation Plans for Citizens in Iran-  Minister
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 22, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has refuted false narrati...

READ ALSO
Governors, FG Unite to Tackle Food Security Challenges
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 20, 2025 0

The 36 state governors have come together to collaborate with the Federal Government on harmonizing...

READ ALSO
Tinubu to Launch Multiple Development Projects Today in Kaduna
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

KADUNA, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu is anticipated to arrive in Kaduna State today for the inaug...

READ ALSO
ECOWAS Calls for Unified Action Against Plastic Pollution at World Environment Day
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 18, 2025 0

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is calling for a unified regional effort from...

READ ALSO
Trump Proposes Visa Ban on Nigeria Amid Corruption Concerns
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 15, 2025 0

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has initiated plans to impose a general visa ban o...

READ ALSO
Nigeria's Crude Oil Prices Surge to $80 Amid Rising Tensions Between Israel and Iran
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 14, 2025 0

Amid the increasing tensions between Israel and Iran, Nigeria's crude oil prices surged to nearly $8...

OUR CHANNELS:

Trump Announces Iran-Israel Ceasefire Deal, Tehran Denies Formal Agreement
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 25, 2025 0

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Iran and Israel have agreed to a “comple...


French Police Arrest 12 over Alleged Drugging of Women at Music Festival
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

French police have arrested 12 individuals suspected of drugging female festivalgoers during the ann...


NATO Warns Iran Against Nuclear Weapon Development Amid Rising Tensions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

In a renewed effort to curb escalating violence in the Middle East, the North Atlantic Treaty Organi...


Mertens Announces Retirement from Football, Cites Age and Fatigue
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

Belgian football star Dries Mertens has officially announced his retirement from professional footba...


Qatar Closes Airspace After Iranian Strike on U.S. Base in Doha
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

In a swift move to safeguard lives and property, the government of Qatar has closed its airspace fol...


Tinubu Launches National Mechanised Farming Programme to Tackle Food Insecurity
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

In a bid to combat food insecurity and encourage youth participation in farming, President Bola Tinu...


NGX Opens Week Bullish, Gains N279bn Amid Renewed Investor Confidence
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) commenced the trading week on a bullish trajectory, adding N279...


EFCC Urges Students to Shun Internet Fraud, Embrace Positive Online Ventures
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has called on Ni...


Abia Govt Vows Crackdown After Cult Clash Leaves One Dead
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

ABIA, Nigeria - A suspected cultist was shot dead while another was apprehended following a violent...


Tinubu Showoff Chicago Classmate Amid Lingering Certificate Forgery Controversy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - Amid ongoing public debate over his academic credentials, President Bola Tinubu on...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu