Nigeria’s agricultural future blossoms at Business of Agriculture Masterclass 2024

On September 17, 2024, the BusinessDay Media Foundation hosted the Business of Agriculture Masterclass 4.0, a significant event that underscored the potential of innovation in driving Nigeria’s agricultural transformation. The theme, “Planting the Seed of Innovation: Opening Pathways to Agricultural Transformation,” brought together policymakers, agripreneurs, and industry leaders, all united in their vision for a prosperous agricultural sector.
Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, delivered a keynote address, stressing the necessity of innovative farming practices to secure Nigeria’s agricultural future. He emphasized the role of the private sector and international organizations in creating a sustainable growth environment.
Mories Atoki, co-chair of the UN PSAG Cluster 5, and Oludare Odusanya, General Manager of the BATN Foundation, shared insights into areas like agro-processing, agri-finance, and climate-smart agriculture. They advocated for leveraging data-driven solutions to improve the agricultural value chain and ensuring infrastructure development for irrigation, road access, and market connectivity, which would significantly reduce post-harvest losses.
The event spotlighted climate change adaptation strategies, with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture outlining plans to integrate climate-smart practices to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather. As the masterclass unfolded over two days, participants were armed with tools to navigate the evolving landscape of agribusiness, setting the stage for a future of collaborative and innovation-led growth in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Source: BusinessDay

Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The Business of Agriculture Masterclass 4.0 reflects the growing emphasis on innovation as the cornerstone of agricultural transformation in Nigeria. The gathering of thought leaders from diverse sectors signals a robust commitment to revolutionizing traditional farming methods by integrating technology, agri-finance, and climate-smart agriculture into the mainstream.
For agri-food stakeholders, the focus on agro-processing and infrastructure investment presents new opportunities for improving the agricultural value chain. With road networks, irrigation, and market access being prioritized, farmers will experience a reduction in post-harvest losses, directly contributing to enhanced productivity and profitability.
The emphasis on climate-smart practices is also critical. With Nigeria facing challenges from climate change, including erratic rainfall and increased temperatures, stakeholders must adopt sustainable strategies. This includes digital platforms to help monitor weather conditions, predict crop yields, and optimize resource use.
The role of private-public partnerships and international collaboration is pivotal. The participation of organizations like the BATN Foundation shows that investments in smallholder farmers can accelerate Nigeria’s progress toward food security and poverty alleviation.
By nurturing innovation and fostering data-driven approaches, Nigeria is poised to unlock the full potential of its agricultural sector, ultimately securing its position as a leader in agri-food production in Africa.