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.

See More:

• CTA Launches Initiative in Ethiopia to Help 20,000 Farmers Battle Climate Change Effect
• Nigeria’s SmartFarm Wins MTFC Innov8Agric Challenge, Bags Home 5,000USD
• Meet the 4 AgriTech Start-ups Pitching at the MTFC’s Innov8Agric Challenge in Dubai

The post Agribusiness Stakeholders experience The Future of Agribusiness at Meet the Farmers Conference Dubai 2018 appeared first on MTFC | Meet The Farmers Conference - Nov 2019 - Dubai UAE.

Stakeholders in the Nigeria tomato industry have agreed to hold annual tomato investment roundtable, as part of the initiative to build –up more investment required to stimulate production active along value- chain in country.

Scaling –up investment in the sector, is believed would go a long way in generating activities that will address the current trend in which over 45 percent of tomato cultivated in the country are lost due to poor post-harvest management.

The stakeholders made this submission at a maiden edition of the Nigeria Tomato Investment Roundtable, held during the week, in the Dutse, capital of Jigawa State.

The roundtable which drew participants from within and outside the country, was declared opened by Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, governor of Jigawa state, and also had in attendance, Hafiz Abubakar deputy-governor of Kano state, among others.

Delivering a lead paper, Muhammad Sagagi, a Northern Nigeria based economist recall the growing market for fresh and processed tomato in the country, charging foreign investors to take advantage of the opportunity.

Sagagi, who is the pioneer, director –general of Jigawa State Investment Promotion Agency, disclosed that at the moment the country is able to meet only 1.8 million metric tons out of the about 3.5 million tons total national demand for tomato.

Also See: Crenov8 to Hold Meet The Farmers Satellite Conference in Ghana – #MTFCGHANA2018

He observed that due to various reasons local growers of the commodity are still finding it difficult to bridge the over 500,000 metric production gap currently existing.

“There is growing output gap and market for tomato in the country. At the moment 45 percent of the total output is being wasted due to poor post-harvest management. This wastage provides investment opportunity for willing investors.

“We also have the challenge of value addition, study conducted under GEMS4 activity, points to the fact that Nigeria needs about 124 Tomato Processing facilities across the states where the commodity is cultivated. This is another huge investment gap.

“In the same vein, the nation also have investment opportunity in the distribution area, as well as there are opportunities for commercial banks and financial institutions in area of financing enterprises ready to maximize opportunities in these sub-sectors” he stated.

  Sagagi identified lack of competitiveness, poor investment climate, difficulty in sourcing funding, infrastructural constraint, as well as nature of land and agricultural practices, as some of the challenges hampering inflow of investment in the sector.

One of the highlights of the roundtable was a Panel Discussion on Private Engagement in the Tomato Value –Chain, moderated by Richard Ogundele, CEO, JMSF Agribusiness Nigeria.

The discussants drawn from various segment of the tomato value –chain, unanimously agreed that there is the need for the stakeholders to invest building the capacity of small- holder farmers, who are the major producer of the commodity.

The discussants also called on the government at all levels to boost investment in the area of infrastructure that would enable the small farmers to scale –up their production, as well as help organize the farmers into co-operative society.

In his address at the occasion, Tim McClellan, Chief Operating Officer, TechnServe Inc, the company that initiated the roundtable in partnership with Rockfeller Foundation, Syngenta Nigeria, Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture based in Kenya, and Pyxera Global, disclosed that his company will continue to work with the partners helping Nigeria meet its agriculture aspiration.

The Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, as well as Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, were represented at the occasion.

Source: Business Day Online

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