The third edition of the Pan West African collaborated Agrikexpo/Foodbext West Africa, which has become the reference events for agricultural/food beverage products/services in West Africa, is set to commence after two very successful editions.
The idea for the collocation is to emphasise the direct relationship between primary agric production and value addition via processing/packaging.
According to the organiser, 151 Products Limited, in collaboration with the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, and the National Agency for Foods Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the expo helps to create a trade specific event – agricultural business development – in support of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the present government, as pursued under Akinwunmi Adesina, minister of agriculture.
The expo, which comes up at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, between June 2 and 4, will have Adewunmi Adesina, the agric minister, who is the special guest of honour, taking the keynote address, with awards given to Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, and Governor Seriaki Dickosn of Bayelsa State, for their pursuit of agricultural developments in their various states.
As of rule, Agrikexpo would continue to reward functionaries and institutions in its anniversaries, especially those who have done excellently well in the area of agriculture as a tool to motivate all to higher standards of contribution to the agricultural transformation agenda, said project manager, 151 Products Limited, Bamidele Isan.
According to Sam Ohuabunwa, chairman,151Products Limited, “the current pace of agricultural revolution in Nigeria is quite commendable and must be sustained for the much desired benefits of food security, job creation and possible earnings from exports. A curios observer would definitely agree that government has done well, especially in the support of private sector initiatives for more.”
Agrikepo is also partnered by the value addition arm of Foodbext West Africa, which is about showcasing processed and packaged products, including imported equivalents as a strategy of opening up the market to international standards for product delivery.
In the opinion of the CEO 151 Products Limited, Ugo Nawbisi, the creation of healthy rivalry between brands will eventually lead to localisation of production plants, and by extension lead to more jobs. Besides, it would also provide ready market for farm produce, which are principal raw materials for packaged foods/beverages, he said. As a matter of fact, Agrikexpo and Foodbext are both commended in all circles because of the need for business networking between entrepreneurs in the sector, especially as regards the promotion of their businesses. Several states agric development programmes (ADPs) have taken advantage of the event to invite foreign investors to their states for direct partnerships in agric development.
Many food/beverage SMEs, including channel distributors in the industry, would be showcasing various brands. Also, most overseas companies are looking for local representatives, which makes the collocated events a choice opportunity for food/beverage entrepreneurs.
There will be several seminars centred on various areas including agricultural exports and successful food/beverage business management.
