Agribusiness Stakeholders experience The Future of Agribusiness at Meet the Farmers Conference Dubai 2018

Agribusiness stakeholders from Africa and the United Arab Emirates converged at the prestigious H Hotel, Dubai on 4th and 5th November for the Grand Finale of the Meet the Farmers Conference 2018.

The conference which focuses on the promotion of Agriculture, Food Security and on trade facilitation while fostering lucrative Agricultural partnerships between African Agribusinesses and the industry leaders in Dubai. It also meant to establish and strengthening the international trade ties that exist between Africa and the GCC through agriculture.

The conference began with a Keynote speech by H.E Juma Muhammad Al-Kait, Assistant Under Secretary, Foreign Affairs, Dubai Ministry of Economy followed by an extensive speech on Trade Promotion and Investments between Africa and the UAE by the Chief Executive Hamriyah Free Zone Authority; the largest free zone in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) H.E. Saud Salim.

According to Bola Oyedele, Lead Consultant, Crenov8, “MTFC was borne out of a research that showed that the UAE imports $100billion of Agro produce every year of which African countries have no or little percentage in it, despite having vast resources that could easily support that.”

“The conference was birthed out of the need to consolidate and export Africa Agro produce to the GCC region, which we believe will amass Africa foreign exchange, improve GDP per capita, reduce food waste and improve on the existent ties between the GCC and Africa to mention a few advantages.”

“African countries like Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda and even Nigeria have benefitted immensely from the regional conference held earlier this year and we have set up warehouses and business links for many agribusinesses in the UAE.” She stated.

The dynamic line up of speakers provided insights with hands-on experience pertaining to topical issues in Agriculture, as well as, actionable and practical solutions bordering around Agro-Commodity trading in Dubai. The conference ambience also created for those in attendance, the perfect opportunity to network and foster lucrative Agricultural partnerships between African Agribusinesses and the industry leaders in the UAE.

Some of the Speakers and panelists at the conference include Dr. Donatus Ikechukwu Okonkwo, Chairman, Board of Directors Tetrazzini Agro-Allied, Onyeka Akumah, Co-Founder/CEO Farmcrowdy, Carl Nelson; Chief Operating Officer, Ghana Investment Promotion Council, H.E Samatha Gifty Bukhari, Consul General of the Republic of Ghana to Dubai, Sanjay Sethi; Director Sustainability; Phoenix Group; William Stenhouse of Agility Africa amongst other important stakeholders and dignitaries.

Also as part of the initiative, the organisers also supported AgriTechnology Entrepreneurship in Africa through a new concept titled ’Innov8 Agric Challenge’ which is looking to promote innovative ideas and enterprises that focus on agriculture and help them improve their business operations while providing a platform to showcase their innovation. Same challenge has held in Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and then Nigeria with all pitched at the Grand Finale in Dubai.

Smart Farms(link) from Nigeria emerged winner after defeating three other Agri-tech start-ups – Qualitrace from Ghana, AgriQ from Kenya, and Spiderbit, all finalists from the regional conferences who also participated in the pitch.

This year alone, Crenov8 has held editions of the Conference in Ghana on July 4, Kenya on September 21, 2018, and another one in Rwanda on October 5 as well as Nigeria on October 10th.

Meet the Farmers Conference remains the perfect opportunity to network, liaise and build long lasting trade partnerships within Africa and the Middle East.

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Published

November 10, 2018