The biennial Agribusiness Dialogue session is back again! This event, organized British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) in partnership with Enterprise Development Centre, underscores the Foundation’s dedication to promoting sustainable agriculture and empowering smallholder farmers. The theme for the 2023 dialogue session is “Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Establishing Sustainable Strategies and Pathways for Smallholder Farmers in the Agrifood System.” The dialogue will revolve around exploring sustainable practices to enhance agricultural productivity, not only within Nigeria but also across the sub-region.
Scheduled for November 16, 2023, the one-day event will take place at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos. It offers an exciting opportunity for participants to engage with a diverse array of industry experts, including African Farmers, Nigerian Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC), among others. Interested participants can register online through this link:
The agenda for this year’s edition includes plenary sessions, focused breakout discussions, and thought provoking fireside chat, all geared towards tackling the challenges inherent in the agri-food system. The objective is to foster collaboration and the development of strategies that empower smallholder farmers and all participants in the agricultural value chain.
The 2023 Dialogue Session aims not only to introduce effective, contemporary agricultural practices and solutions but also to provide invaluable insights to farmers on how to navigate complex agricultural challenges and thrive in the ever-evolving agricultural landscape.
The central focus of this initiative remains supporting rural smallholder farmers through financial aid for farming, capacity enhancement, promoting inclusivity, facilitating market access, boosting agriculture-related enterprises, and ensuring access to clean water.
Since its inception in 2013, the BATNF has left an indelible and impactful mark on communities across Nigeria. Their impact extends to over 1.2 million individuals through the implementation of approximately 250 projects nationwide, supporting 44 institutions, and an investment of N2.4 billion in rural community development activities. These initiatives span various aspects, including the provision of clean water, environmental preservation, vocational skills training, and the promotion of agricultural development.