Building a sustainable and resilient agricultural future in the midst of imminent challenges, weaknesses and threats is one of the most audacious steps that will be undertaken in the right direction. It is quite conspicuous the role that agriculture plays in the socio-economic development of any state or nation. The multi-faceted contributions of agriculture to all pillars of sustainable development within the state cannot be overemphasized.
Oyo state, in particular, has come to realize a dire need to develop workable agricultural systems. This is in view of the characteristics of the diverse nature of the system including livestock, climates, crops, soils, technology, management, etc. Agriculture faces many challenges in our clime and this had made it more difficult to achieve its primary objective – feeding its populace. With over 7 million inhabitants in the state, a major daunting task ahead is to improve the economy of the state. This can be achieved by primarily reducing hunger and unless hunger is reduced, progress in cutting poverty is bound to be slow and consequently other development goals will not be comprehensively achieved.
Our resources to a large extent can satisfactorily achieve this objective but we need to establish strategies and models to shape the future where agriculture drives prosperity and improve the rural economy.
Major elements of a sustainable agricultural development envisioned will include:
- Shifts towards safer and healthier diets
for our people. - Ensuring
the supply of safe, nutritious food to all through increasing agricultural
productivity on existing crop and pasture land and making it more resilient to
climatic extremes as being experienced more prominently in some parts of the
state. - Reduction
of food loss and waste. - New visions
and business models for smallholder agriculture and rural development that will
create economic and job opportunities and make rural areas more attractive
places to live. - Empowering
women along the value chain as a result of the critical role they play. - Coherent
policies at all levels that will stimulate behavior change; align all actors
and provide for an all-inclusive growth. - Monitoring agriculture and food systems
at unprecedented level of details.
It is with so much intensity that we invite partners and investors into the pool of opportunities and wealth agriculture will bring to the state. A convenient forum that is expected to kick-start the process will be at the Maiden Edition of the Oyo Agribusiness Summit. It is going to be a critical point for the future of agriculture in the state.
We envision an agro-future where:
- there is
zero hunger; reduced poverty with rural producing communities increasingly
becoming resilient to drought and climate change. - technology
and technological developments are completely utilized for research,
production, value addition, marketing and distribution where products from the
state can conveniently compete on the
national and international scale. - farming
becomes so attractive and rewarding for any player at every scale where young
graduates become farmers by choice not because they are left behind. - post-harvest and food loss becomes generally low
with realistic conversion ratios for our produce from farm to fork with timely
delivery and minimal supply chain time-lag of farm produce and products. - the entire agri-food systems are optimized and
well-coordinated. - migration to the city is reduced and younger
generation can demonstrate and dream big because of reformed agricultural
systems. - precision agriculture farming upholds the
principles of farming and agriculture and produces have readily available
off-takers who complimentarily create enabling food systems. - biological control of weeds, pests and diseases
create a more climate friendly solutions rather than the indiscriminate use of
inorganic inputs. - an all-inclusive and participatory growth is
enhanced in the agricultural sector through worthwhile partnerships to ensure
value and alignment of priorities. - significant reservoir of technologies, research,
knowledge, investments, partnerships and practice will produce a rewarding
outcome of an agricultural inclusion and transformation. - facilitating the diversification of off-farm
income sources for rural people that will play a significant role in achieving
resilience and food security for rural families which can be achieved by the
establishment of small scale processing industries in rural areas that could
contribute to reduced losses, increased food quality and reduction of drudgery.
Consequent upon these, we welcome all investors, partners, intending investors and intending partners to collaborate with us as we execute our roll-out plans in stages and phases.
As we can observe, every actor has a role to play in the team. So you have to discover how your role will wholly fit in the big picture and the vision we carry. Ultimately, a win- win partnership is what we are poised to bring to the table.
Join us at this year’s edition of the Oyo Agribusiness Summit for an experience and opportunity of a life time.
Our contact details:
Email address: info@oyoagribusinesssummit.com
Website address: www.oyoagribusinesssummit.com