BJAN Confab: Experts urge federal government to protect local farmers
Experts from various sectors of the nation’s economy have canvassed for more support from the federal government in the area of protective policies for local farmers and the provision of adequate infrastructure in order to stir up the much desired industrialization Nigeria needs.
The stakeholders disclosed this at the 2020 Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN) conference held penultimate week in Lagos with the theme: “Consolidating Nigeria’s Agricultural Revolution: Challenges, Opportunities and Lessons.
President, Organization of Technology Advancement of Cold Chains, West Africa (OTACCWA), Mr. Tunde Okoya, in his keynote address, dwelt extensively on developing a blueprint for a national cold chain in Nigeria as a key strategy to consolidate the expansion and growth of agriculture in the country.
“According to FAO, post-harvest loss of many agric products in Nigeria could be as high as 50 per cent so invariably, a lot of production by our farmer goes into waste along the value chain and that cannot be a very productive way for any
country,” he said.
Earlier in his remark, the Chairman, Brand Journalists Association Of Nigeria (BJAN), Princewill Ekwujuru explained that the body decided to shift slightly from core issues in the world of brands and marketing to an area the association felt it can stir up the possibility of jump-starting the much desired industrialization Nigeria needs, for her economic development, especially in this times of recession.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Advertisers Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, commended BJAN on what he described as “tremendous impact in the Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) Industry.”
He expressed optimism that the theme for this year’s conference “Consolidating Nigeria’s Agricultural Revolution: Challenges, Opportunities and Lessons” will make positive impact in giving direction toward unlocking the needed opportunities in the agricultural sector to support the nation’s economic growth.
According to him, we hope that the event will engineer a transformative bridge that can seal the gap between issues of possibilities and actualisation, thereby strengthening the Agricultural sector which can become the bedrock of a thriving economy.
Recognition awards were given to some brands and players in the Nigerian economy that have made remarkable impact in recent times.