The theme of this gathering “Planting the seed of Innovation: Opening pathways to Agricultural transformation” is not only apt and timely but also central to our mission of ensuring food security, economic prosperity, and sustainable development for Nigeria.” These were the words of a keynote speaker, Senator Abubakar Kyari- Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Food security at the opening of Business of Agriculture Masterclass 4.0. He further applauded the collaborative efforts of the private sector and international organizations for their continued commitment to agricultural development, stressing that traditional farming methods must give way to innovation for the sector to thrive in the future.
The Business of Agriculture Masterclass tagged is an initiative of the Private sector advisory Group (PSAG) Nigeria (Cluster 5) co-chaired by BATN Foundation. The rationale behind the Masterclass is to achieve awareness and develop capabilities in the business of agriculture with the aim of highlighting the opportunities that abound in the agricultural sector. The BOA is designed to equip all aspiring and current agripreneurs with the insights and strategies to succeed in Agriculture as a profitable venture. The masterclass brings together industry experts, policy makers, and agricultural entrepreneurs to discuss strategies for revolutionizing Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The event was graced by several distinguished dignitaries, including the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and food security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Dr. Mories Atoki; the Oloni of Eti-Oni, Oba Dokun Thompson; and Mr. Segun Awolowo, the National Coordinator of the National Committee AFCTA Nigeria Office, Oludare Odusanya, the General manager of BATN Foundation and Mrs Folusho Olaniyan, Independent Non-execuitve director Odu’a Investment company and Technical Committee member, BATN Foundation, and Eze Nwakanma, Head Agribusiness Union bank & Technical Committee, BATN Foundation. These key figures highlighted the critical importance of innovation, sustainability, and private-sector collaboration in driving agricultural progress in Nigeria.
The masterclass covers several agriculture value chains cutting across Pathway for agricultural innovation, Agro processing, AgriFinance, nutrition and lifestyle, crop farming, agricultural technology, branding to mention a few, and uncovers secrets of agribusiness success to the masterclass attendees.
Dr. Mories Atoki, Co-chair of the UN PSAG Cluster 5 and CEO of the Africa Business Coalition of Health, reiterated the role of innovation in shaping the future of agriculture. “Innovation is the seed from which transformative changes occur. We must harness our local resources and capacity to develop our own solutions. By fostering a data-driven approach, we can optimize agricultural value chains, improve efficiency, and create scalable farming practices,” she stated. Dr. Atoki also stressed the importance of creating new models for agricultural investments that attract global interest and adequately manage risks.
Oludare Odusanya, General Manager of the BATN Foundation, expressed the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to empowering rural communities and fostering sustainable agricultural practices. “For the past 20 years, BATN Foundation has worked to support smallholder farmers through innovative agricultural initiatives, contributing not only to poverty reduction but also to the achievement of multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly 1,2,6,8,10 & 13” Odusanya said. He encouraged participants to take full advantage of the masterclass to gain actionable insights that can transform agriculture into a thriving business.
The Business of Agriculture Masterclass is set to continue for the next two days, offering participants the opportunity to learn from industry leaders and develop strategies that will help shape the future of agriculture in Nigeria.
To learn more about the masterclass and watch the sessions, visit Business of Agriculture – Cultivating a Rich Future Through Agriculture (bdfoundation.ng)
