THE National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFN) has described the Dangote Group as one of the major contributors to the development of agricultural sector in the country.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2023 National Agricultural Show, the National Coordinator of the NAFN, Dr Samuel Negedu, described the Dangote Group as a colossus and the backbone of the country’s agricultural sector.
He said the company is building rice mills that will greatly support the Nigerian government in its drive towards achieving food security in the country.
He thanked the company and Alhaji Aliko Dangote for building what he described as the largest fertilizer plant in Africa.
“The Dangote Group is also the major sponsor of the ongoing 2023 National Agricultural Show,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the government has immediate and short-term plans for developing a standard framework for the ease of doing agricultural business in the country.
“Over time, agricultural shows have become veritable tools for showcasing the latest developments within the agricultural sector. It brings people together to network, to do business, and to give the public a glimpse into farming life.
“It also provides a hub for the farming and rural communities to meet, exchange ideas, and, above all, have a few days away from the farms”, the minister said.
The Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, urged stakeholders to invest massively in agriculture to transform Nigeria into a country for food security and value chain addition.
Speaking also, Chairman Board of Trustees of the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFN), Arch Kabiru Ibrahim said this year’s theme: Towards the Realization of Presidential Declaration of Emergency on Food Security, is apt.
He said the theme was, “chosen in recognition of the need for all stakeholders in Nigeria to work towards the actualization of the resolve of the administration of President Tinubu to address the challenges of food security.”
Arch Ibrahim who is also the National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) said that to scale up food security, there is a need to incentivize smallholder farmers (SHFs) through supports for seedlings.
