The immediate past Honorable Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, and now the Honorable Minister of State for Works, Hon. Bello M. Goronyo, Esq., led a distinguished Nigerian delegation to the German Agribusiness and AgriTech Summit 2024. This high-profile event, held in Hamburg, Germany, from November 11–16, 2024, attracted global leaders in agribusiness and technology, aiming to promote advanced practices and foster international cooperation within the agricultural sector. The summit provided a valuable opportunity for Nigeria to strengthen its position within the global agricultural community, showcasing its commitment to sustainable food security and agricultural transformation.
Engagements and Study Tours
The Nigerian delegation participated in a well-rounded program, which included study tours to two key agricultural sites: a state-of-the-art Livestock and Dairy Farm (Milchhof Reitbrook) and an Integrated Apple Farm known for its innovative practices. The Livestock and Dairy Farm tour provided in-depth exposure to sustainable livestock farming techniques, advanced dairy production methods, and modern cattle management practices, all of which are directly relevant to Nigeria’s growing livestock industry. At the Integrated Apple Farm, the delegation explored the complete value chain of apple production, observing how modern farming can encompass product diversification and integrate social impact. These tours offered the delegation practical insights and strategies that could significantly benefit Nigeria’s agricultural sector by enhancing efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.
Advocating Knowledge Transfer and Technical Cooperation
Throughout the study tours, Hon. Bello Goronyo emphasized the importance of building cooperative relationships with the farm management teams in Germany, stressing the potential for valuable knowledge transfer and technical cooperation. He highlighted the need for improved cattle management practices and technical assistance to support Nigeria’s agricultural reforms. Encouraging future engagement between these farms and Nigeria’s Ministries of Livestock Development and Agriculture, the Honorable Minister stressed that these collaborations align with President His Excellency Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Hope Agenda,” specifically its focus on ensuring “Food Security” for Nigeria. By fostering international partnerships and adopting innovative, sustainable farming techniques, Hon. Goronyo stated that Nigeria could significantly strengthen its agricultural sector, ultimately contributing to a more robust and resilient food production system for the nation.
Gratitude to Cater and Merger Consult Ltd.
In addition to his focus on building technical partnerships, Hon. Goronyo expressed his gratitude to Cater and Merger Consult Ltd., the summit’s dedicated organizers. Despite facing several logistical challenges in the event’s planning stages, Cater and Merger Consult successfully executed an impactful event that brought together global stakeholders in agriculture and agribusiness. The Minister commended their efforts and resilience in facilitating this platform, which plays a crucial role in advancing Nigeria’s agribusiness and food security objectives. Hon. Goronyo expressed optimism for future editions of the summit, envisioning it as an increasingly valuable venue for enhancing Nigeria’s agricultural collaboration with international partners, thus helping to further bolster the country’s economic and agribusiness goals.
Key Takeaways from the Summit
- Livestock and Dairy Farm Visit:
The Nigerian delegation gained crucial insights into sustainable livestock farming practices, observing firsthand advanced techniques in dairy production and cattle management. These insights are particularly valuable for Nigeria, which is focused on modernizing and expanding its livestock sector. - Integrated Apple Farm Visit:
The tour of the Integrated Apple Farm provided a detailed exploration of the value chain processes, from production through to product diversification. The farm also emphasized community-centered farming and demonstrated strategies for social impact, reinforcing the importance of local engagement and sustainability in agricultural initiatives.
A Platform for Agricultural Transformation
The German Agribusiness and AgriTech Summit 2024 served as an essential platform for fostering partnerships, exchanging knowledge, and exploring innovative solutions to global agricultural challenges. Hon. Goronyo and the Nigerian delegation’s active participation at the summit underscores Nigeria’s dedication to advancing agricultural transformation and ensuring food security for its citizens. By engaging in these international exchanges, Nigeria continues to strengthen its agricultural practices and policies, aiming to build a more sustainable, productive, and resilient food system that aligns with the nation’s broader development goals.
