Examining practical ways in which to assure security and prosperity through developing sustainable agricultural value chains in Northern Nigeria is the objective of the two-day symposium organized by the Sardaunan Katsina Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar Foundation that kicked off in the Katsina State capital on Tuesday, July 8. The symposium’s theme is Enhancing Agricultural Production and Value-chain Development For Increased Productivity, Food Security And Poverty Alleviation.
In his welcome address, Ambassador Ahmed Abubakar, former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency [NIA], said the array of policy makers, experts and scholars gathered at the event were deliberately selected to guide in finding practical, urgent and sustainable solutions to identified problems. He said, “This effort is part of the larger effort of the Foundation to contribute continually to the identification of problems requiring collective exertions to solve for our dear country. It follows the Foundation’s earlier conversations on better appreciation of our Nigeria’s history and culture for national development.”
He also said, “Realizing that nurturing the next generation of Nigerians for meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s continued evolution as an important and consequential player in regional and global affairs has led the Foundation to establish both a school and a technology hub in Katsina to serve as a spur for others to join Federal, State and Local Governments in their efforts to make sound education a solid pillar for peace and progress in Nigeria. After more than 30 years of sustained interest and endeavour in agriculture, we have registered The Farm, Katsina Limited as a corporate body focusing on crops and orchard production, pasture, livestock breeding and development. We have also ventured into agro processing with a modest milk processing factory; a 100 tons capacity maize flour mill and a 10 tons capacity animal feed mill.” The mills were earlier opened on Monday, July 7.
Ambassador Abubakar also said, “Focused and knowledge-driven partnerships are essential for the success of this endeavour. This has been the reason why we cast our net as wide as we have done to invite this group of patriots and experts. It is our ardent hope and expectation that this work will continue in solid partnerships that produce the desired results for our people.”
Present at the seminar were Governor of Katsina State Dikko Umar Radda as well as representatives of the Ministers of Livestock Development, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Planning, as well as representative of Director General, National Intelligence Agency (DGNIA) and of the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman. A communique is expected at the end of the symposium, which ends on Wednesday.
