Yemisi Izuora
National Association of Agriculture Journalists, NAAJ, is set to engage stakeholders in agricultural sector during its workshop on how to tackle the ongoing economic recession through agriculture in the country.
In a statement by its National Chairman, Mr. Stanley Ihedigbo, the association, “This year’s workshop, slated to hold on the 27th of October in Lagos,will address issues concerning the sustainability of agriculture amidst economic recession and how the sector can be effectively utilised to rescue the nation’s falling economy”.
With The theme: “Sustainable Agriculture under Economic Recession” the workshop would proffer viable solutions and strategies for the government and other agricultural stakeholder as communique would be issued after the workshop.
The workshop would have the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development , Dr. Audu Ogbeh, as the special guest of honour while chairman of the event , is the Chairman of Nigeria Agribusiness Group, Alhaji Sani Dangote.
Seasoned resource persons, drawn from various aspects of the sector who are expected to deliberate on the theme of the workshop include President, Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Commissioners of Agriculture for Lagos, Benue and Abia states, among others.
Guest speakers at the forum include, the Chief Editor of Farming Africa and member of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists-guild from The Netherlands, responsible for foreign affairs, Mr. Marc Van der Sterren; the Sokoto State Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Umar Nagwari Tambuwal; the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Oluwastoyin Suarau; Country Director; DFID-GEMS4 Project –Wholesale & Retail Sector; Mr. Busuyi Okeowo, the Chief Executive Officer, Ericso Foods Ltd., Chief Eric Umeofia, and the Managing Director, Elephant Group Nigeria Limited, Mr. Tunji Owoeye.
Also the Kebbi State Commissioner for Agriculture , Mr. Abubakar Muhammad Dandiga, and the Head of Marketing of Natnudo Foods, Mr. Noble Igbokwe, would be in attendance.
Sterren, who will also speak about the focus on Smarter Farmers, said 80 per cent of the hungry people are farmer.
He maintained that if they produce a bit more, not only hunger would be solved, “but we can also reach all 17 UN Sustainable Development goals.