By Emmanuel Affonne
An integrated agribusiness company, First Aquagrico Farms Nigeria Ltd., is perfecting deals to establish Africa’s largest farmers’ market in the country.
The company said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
The statement quoted the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Kolapo Talabi, as saying that the market, when established, would among other things solve the problem of transportation techniques in the agricultural business.
Talabi said the firm had approached the Bank of Agriculture for support in pushing for the establishment of the market, which would also be a solution to the problem of modern conservation aimed at eliminating post-harvest losses.
“The main objective of launching Africa’s largest farmers’ market in Nigeria is to create an all-in-one agricultural market center encompassing the collection, redistribution, storage, processing and export of agricultural products.
“The concept is to enhance the promotion of large-scale commercial agriculture in Africa through a process that maximizes profits and sustainably meets consumer needs.
“In addition, the concept is sure to have a great impact on the country’s agricultural sector by boosting food supply, creating jobs, increasing incomes, reducing malnutrition and contributing to the progress of the continent’s agroeconomy.
“Focusing on driving agriculture for national economic development through creating markets for farmers both locally and internationally, First Aquagrico Farms believes in large-scale marketing of agricultural products,” said Talabi.
According to him, the study and the survey show that one of the main causes leading to the decline in the growth of the agricultural sector is the poor marketing of agricultural products.
He regretted that the agricultural sector has performed poorly, especially in the second quarter of 2022 with growth of 1.20% compared to 3.16% in the previous quarter.
Talabi pointed out that the floods lately have devastated parts of the country like Kogi, Niger, Anambra, Benue, Sokoto, Adamawa, Delta, among places known for their great agricultural production with hectares of farmland washed away.
“It is estimated that the situation will worsen with dangerous climate changes and floods that have a great impact on the distribution and marketing of agricultural products.”
He was optimistic that the farmers’ market would help the country achieve industrialization and restore the agricultural value chain in the nearest future, as the floods severed major bridges, submerging trucks and trailers carrying food. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
=========
Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
