Our Vision for Nigerian Farmers – New NABG Boss, Ijewere
By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem
The new President of the Nigerian Agribusiness Group (NABG), Emmanuel Ijewere, has announced his plans to uplift the standards of the business side of agriculture in Nigeria.
Ijewere, whose position was ratified as the head of the group on Tuesday in Abuja, said time has come to call on government at all levels to take the issue of economic diversification seriously since the oil wells are projected to dry up soon.
Ijewere was the vice president of the group until the death of the former president, Sani Dangote.
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Explaining his vision to a cross section of journalists, Ijewere said the group will emphasise smart agriculture and mechanised farming to enable farmers overcome the natural encumbrances that come with the business in terms of storage, farm implements, seedlings, fertilisers, quality of produce etc.
Ijewere noted that the NABG would focus on improving the quality of agric produce going out of the country so they can be globally competitive, adding that Nigeria needs to boost its exports and deemphasise imports.
He added that the group has also secured a robust partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support the farmers with capacity building, skill set and facilities that are useful in overcoming the peculiar challenges faced by farmers in Nigeria.
Fielding questions from journalists on the security challenges stopping farmers from accessing their farms, he said: “No one really wants to kill or attack anyone. It is all about the fight for survival. Herders are not murderers while farmers are not also out to kill. To fix insecurity, economic direction has to change. It has been lopsided for too long. The herders have lost a lot too, just like the farmers.”
