The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) says it will hold a three-day general assembly aimed at attracting foreign investment into Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The President of AFAN, Dr Farouk Rabiu-Mudi, disclosed this while speaking to journalists on Thursday in Abuja.
Rabiu-Mudi said the general assembly, scheduled for Jan. 15 to Jan. 17 at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, would also address food security in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He described the event as the highest gathering of farmers in the country, bringing together stakeholders across the agricultural value chain.
“The General Assembly of Farmers is the highest gathering of farmers in Nigeria. It brings together all stakeholders in agriculture.
“This assembly will bring positive change to the agricultural sector as we work toward achieving food security in line with Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
Rabiu-Mudi said participants would include academics, research institutes, relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), as well as other actors in the sector.
He explained that the assembly would feature workshops to identify and promote the comparative advantages of various states in agricultural production.
He noted that despite the decline in food prices, farmers had yet to enjoy commensurate returns due to rising input costs.
“While food prices are coming down, farmers are not making substantial revenue from their farms. These gaps must be closed so that farmers can be encouraged again,” he said.
Rabiu-Mudi said the assembly would also focus on achieving food sustainability, sufficiency and affordability of agricultural commodities.
He added that the association planned to honour governors, lawmakers and other public officials who had excelled in supporting agriculture.
According to him, two governors from each geopolitical zone, three senators, five members of the House of Representatives, and speakers of state assemblies would be recognised for their contributions to agricultural development.
He said three local government chairmen from each state would also be honoured, based on senatorial districts.
Rabiu-Mudi expressed optimism that the initiative would strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, including input dealers, agro-processors and marketers, to tackle food insecurity.
“Achieving food security is achieving the general security of the nation,” he said.
He commended President Tinubu for increasing funding to the Bank of Agriculture and expressed hope that the bank, alongside commercial banks, would support the general assembly.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AFAN is the apex body of commodity and agriculture-related associations in Nigeria.
