The Private Sector Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (PAADS) stakeholders’ meeting, an event anticipating the 2021 farming season, was held at Fraiser Suites in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on the 21st of January, 2021. It marked a concerted effort towards addressing the challenges plaguing Nigerian and African agriculture, notably the high production costs and suboptimal yields per hectare. In his opening remarks, Dr Ahmed Adekunle, the Chief Executive of NAMEL, lamented the prevalence of inoperative tractors and machinery while also acknowledging the substantial efforts of various stakeholders in mitigating these issues.

Dr Adekunle’s speech recognised the significant contributions of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through initiatives such as NIRSAL, the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP), and the launch of the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (AADS), which have played pivotal roles in advancing the sector.

The gathering saw a diverse group of participants, including CBN representatives, NIRSAL MFB, Polaris Bank, Keystone Bank, and numerous cassava processors, among others. The session delved into pivotal discussions spearheaded by the CBN Cassava champion and PAADS team lead, Dr Zepahniah Chinedu, and his colleague, Dr Zauro Nurudeen. Their discourse centred on risk mitigation management strategies, delineating the roles and responsibilities of all entities involved.

Mrs Yemisi Irunloye of Psaltry Farms provided in-depth insights into strategic produce marketing. At the same time, Mr Tunde Solaja, the Managing Director of Crest Agro, tackled the intricacies of land ownership and the potential challenges posed by community dynamics. Furthermore, Prof Kenneth Ife provided commentary on the impact of CBN’s strategic interventions on private-sector agricultural initiatives.

The meeting was an interactive one, with questions posed and addressed, ensuring clarification on all key points. It concluded with developing a communiqué, encapsulating the session’s outcomes and proposed actions.

For a comprehensive account of the PAADS stakeholders’ meeting and to gain further insights into the proceedings, please refer to the detailed communique or contact NAMEL directly at info@namel.ng.