Value addition to drive agric growth, says Lokpobiri

Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Agriculture, has said that the Nigerian agricultural sector is set to witness an upward surge in production and efficiency with increased investment in value addition.

Lokpobiri   said this recently in Abuja during a meeting with Jimmy Okoroh, global ambassador of International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) when the organisation paid a courtesy visit to discuss ways for business oriented strategy for start-ups in the sector.     

In a statement made available to BusinessDay, the minister said the government has been making intense efforts to tackle challenges in the sector that is limiting growth and productivity, stating that the important component for getting quick results in the sector is to raise irrigation coverage across the country and achieve efficiency in water use.

He noted that there is a renewed emphasis on irrigation, efficient use of fertiliser, development of infrastructural facilities and increased supply of institutional credit to the sector.

The minister stated that it is time for Nigerian products to have increased shelf life through quality processing, adding that the government is implementing reforms to liberalise agricultural market, attract private investments in post harvest value chain, and increase the use modern technology and commerce in various transactions.

In ensuring that agro start-ups succeed through entrepreneurships, Okoroh said one of the sure ways to engage youths in sector is to revamp the value chain, adopt mechanisation and use of modern farming technology, continuous improvements and expansion to international markets are critical success factors needed to make the sector self sufficient.

To achieve this, the global ambassador of InBIA said the organisation is willing to partner with the Federal Government to establish Food Incubation Centres (FICs) across the country.

According to him, such centres can generate thousands of quality jobs for the citizens as well as create wealth through the growth of businesses incubated in the FICs. A Food Incubation Centre model can house up to 100 businesses per time and within a short period and create 5,000 direct jobs and over 30,000 indirect jobs within the value chain.

Okoroh revealed that InBIA has the SoftLanging programme where Nigerian small businesses can directly take residence in its membership incubators in other countries. The programme facilitates local businesses to; easily export to other countries; develop new range products from existing raw materials, promote their local businesses in new international markets.

He further said that the SoftLanding programme also provides easy access to desired business venturing, increased customer base, gain access to professional guidance in new or existing product development, marketing, finance, and legal arrangements.

The organisation extended an invitation to the minister of State for agriculture to attend and participate in its forthcoming 31st international conference on business incubation.

The 2017 conference package includes visits to New Jersey Food Innovation Centre, Business Oregon in Portland; the entrepreneurship ecosystem of the government of Oregon and Seattle, Washington where the international conference is schedule to take place . The event will commence from March 22 – 29 2017.

Josephine Okojie