Agrikexpo gears for fourth edition

A very comprehensive agricultural exhibition for West Africa tagged ‘AGRIKEXPO’ is gearing up for its fourth edition which will hold November, this year.

This expo was described by Akinwumi Adesina, Nigeria’s former minister of agriculture and rural development now president, African Development Bank (AfDB), as the foremost and number one event for agribusiness development in West Africa.

Scheduled to hold at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, the 2015 Agrikexpo is in partnership with the EU-Nigeria Business Forum and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

According to Alex Oke, director, public communications, 151 Products Limited, the main organising company, the event as always is a rallying point for agribusiness development, and is coming at a time the nation is focused on taking agriculture to the next level in Nigeria.

Emmanuel Ijewere, coordinator, Nigeria Agriculture Business Group (NABG), is proud to be associated with the event which is co-tagged AGRIKEXPO/FOODBEXT. According to Ijewere, the stakeholders and members of NABG have been invited to the event.

The NABG is the umbrella association for all agribusiness stakeholders in Nigeria determined to see to the total transformation of agriculture in Nigeria.

AGRIKEXPO is holding side by side with Foodbext West Africa, which is totally dedicated to Food/beverage products/services, including processing and packaging products, and has been endorsed by the various market associations for food and beverage products from Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

In this year’s event, there are several seminars that would focus on poultry, agrochemicals and food technology, as West Africa is indeed a fast emerging destination for agricultural investments, in view of fast arable land.

To Michel Arrion, head of delegation, European Union Delegation to Nigeria/ECOWAS, the synergy between the EU-Nigeria Business Forum and Agrikexpo is a good opportunity for European companies to interact with Nigerian firms for the maximisation of value with both events.

Recently, Sam Ohuanbunwa, chairman, 151 Products Limited expressed thanks to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and  Rural Development, as well as NAFDAC for their continued support and collaboration, especially at this time the nation had intensified the focus on agricultural development.

“It is clear that agriculture holds a great potential for Nigeria as globalisation continues to erase the economic boundary between nations,” Ohuanbunwa said.