‘Kaduna trade fair to show case Made-in-Nigeria goods’
The Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), yesterday said the 38th edition of Kaduna International Trade Fair would show case Made-in-Nigeria goods.
Suleiman Aliyu, KADCCIMA Deputy President told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna, that the focus was to promote local entrepreneurs and attract investment.
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, (AGRA), in collaboration with the Nigeria Agribusiness Group, (NABG) and other stakeholders are seeking policy and regulatory reforms for agriinputs and services in Nigeria.
Speaking at the stakeholder consultation on economic impact assessment of agric reforms in Abuja yesterday, stakeholders recommended severe punishment for individuals or companies adulterating fertiliser and seeds in Nigeria.
The Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) of African Center for
Aliyu said that the fair, scheduled to hold from February 24 to March 5, has as its theme “Public/Private Partnership and Infrastructure Development in Nigeria.”
“We intend to work with our entrepreneurs beyond the trade fair to encourage them and see how, together, we can launch Made-in-Nigeria goods to the world,” he said.
Similarly, KADCCIMA Shared Development Capacity Building and Consultant to AGRA, Professor Olu Ajakaiye, said the era of fake seeds must be put to a complete halt.
According to him, the center brings over 150 years of cumulative experience to bear in providing economic impact analysis.
The African Center is helping to review and propose options in updating and enactment of the revised Seed Act to drive mandatory seed certification of breeders and foundation seeds.
The Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), the Seed Association of Nigeria (SEEDAN) and the Fertilizer Producers and Director General, Usman Saulawa, explained that the fair was not about buying and selling, but exchange of ideas, opportunities, investment potentials, promoting partnership and joint ventures.
He disclosed that Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, former Minister of National Planning would present the seminar paper on Public/Private Partnership and Infrastructure Development in Nigeria. Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) are key partners to AGRA’s micro policy advocacy.
The Vice President of NABG, Mr. Emmanuel Ijewere, noted that there is a new paradigm going on in Nigeria with the provision of win-win opportunities to the private sector and public sector investments in the agribusiness space.
The National Coordinator, MIRA-Nigeria, Dr. Tony Bello, stated that they are helping to add value to policy advocacy through economic impact analysis of reforms to critical stakeholders including farmers, producers, dealers and suppliers of seeds and fertilizer.