Category Archives: Agriculture

Africa Agri Expo 2023 Event Launch – Press Conference held at Serena Hotel, Nairobi ~Ajasa-Info

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Africa Agri Expo 2023 – 6th Edition, a leading regional agricultural show, is set to take place at KICC, Nairobi, Kenya on 8th and 9th February. Ahead of the event, a Press Conference in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development was held on January 23rd at Serena Hotel Nairobi, where Mr. Tahir Abdul Bari, CEO and MD of TAB group, the show’s organizer, addressed attendees and officially introduced the event.


The event is supported by prominent organizations and institutions driving agricultural transformation in Africa; however, a high-profile panel of distinguished guests represented their organizations at the Pre-event Press Conference followed by an intense and interactive Q&A from the major media houses in Kenya. There were brief remarks from Mr. Josphat Gathiru Muhunyu, Agriculture Secretary, Rep. of CS, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kenya, Ms. Agatha Thuo – General Manager, Agriculture Sector Network, Mr. Eric Kimungui – CEO, Agrochemical Association of Kenya, Mr. Guracha Adi – General Manager – Investor Services, KenInvest, Eng. Charles Muasya – Acting CEO of the National Irrigation Authority, Mr. Mandlenkosi Nkomo, Chief Growth Officer – CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy, IITA who are working in the Agri-sector for a very long time – aiding support to this prospering industry through their commendable work and networking capabilities and emphasized on the importance of participation in events like Africa Agri Expo (AAE 2023).


In addition to ways that the AAE 2023 will assist in attracting huge investments to the agriculture industry and Kenya Invest Authority being a one-stop solution for investors and regulators like Agriculture Food Authority which extends business opportunities across the Agri-business value chain, the interactions at the press-conference revolved around the ways to encourage the involvement of the youth and women in agriculture practices and how the public and private sector work together to attain solutions to increase yield per hectare of land which will lead to increase in food-production and strengthen trade ties between nations.
The discussions also implied how the event will facilitate a platform to develop agri-food value chains using innovations and how technology integration plays an important role from primary production to value addition and processing of food produce, where big companies like CENSA – A WayCool enterprise from India comes into picture – they also happen to be the Strategic Partner at AAE 2023.

Furthermore, challenges faced by SMEs and farmers affected by Covid, Conflict and Climate change and their mitigation were also widely discussed as well as topics like scaling up agrochemicals and the irrigation industry to fight severe droughts, among others.

Considering the event is just 2 weeks away, we urge all the companies who see themselves winning in the African agribusiness market to register and showcase their best technology and solutions. Knowing the fact that the Africa Agri Expo provides a platform for agriculture companies, agrochemical companies, technology companies, machinery and equipment companies, and agri-input companies to place themselves as market leaders and build valuable connections with industry stakeholders who are significant changemakers in the industry – one must not miss the continent’s largest show that will connect Africa to the global agribusiness market.

The press conference concluded with the hope that this year’s event will surpass all previous records and be a success in promoting and strengthening the African agriculture sector in the end it was also revealed that if there is any company who wants to pre-schedule their business meetings – this too can be possible by just a single request.
Website: https://africa-agriexpo.com/

Lagos Restates Commitment To Eradicate Hunger and Poverty Through Agriculture ~Ajasa-Info

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The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to eradicate hunger, poverty and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs relating to agriculture.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu re-echoed this in a message to this year’s Farmers Fair, organised by the State Ministry of Agriculture to commemorate the World Food Day, with the theme : “Safe Food Today For a healthy Tomorrow”

The Governor pointed out that his administration had implemented numerous projects and programmes to tackle hunger, malnutrition, unemployment, and under-employment and also boost food production and supply systems, in line with the Lagos State Agricultural and Food System Roadmap, 2021-2025.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Folasade Jaji, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged the entire world to act now to create inclusive economic growth, alleviate inequities, boost resilience, and achieve the SDGs.

“Let me assure you of this administration’s commitment to intensifying our drive to support our farmers, encourage small and medium scale agro-processors, and create an enabling environment for private sector involvement in agriculture, as this will go a long way towards expanding the economy.

This year’s World Food Day is coming at a time when many economies are grappling with serious food security issues caused by numerous factors including the war between Russia and Ukraine, climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, inequalities, and other violent conflicts across regions both nationally and internationally.



The entire globe must act now.

The 2022 World Food Day campaign calls for global solidarity and action to restructure agrifood systems in order to create inclusive economic growth, alleviate inequities, boost resilience, and achieve sustainable development. This must be met for us to have a certain and healthy tomorrow” the Governor emphasized.

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While welcoming the large numbers of people who had turned up for the Fair, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya who listed series of activities to enhance the annual World Food Day in Lagos involving all farmers and young school children as part of efforts to encourage them to embrace agriculture, said the annaul event has always been observed to celebrate Farmers.

She said “It is worthy to note that the Ministry of Agriculture under the administration of Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has since inception embarked on programmes and reforms driven towards ensuring a food secured State. There are also policies geared towards making the space profitable for stakeholders in various value chains that have been implemented”



The highlights of the celebration include dancing/march past by farmers from all Local government and Council Development Areas with their various produce and livestock, presentation of prizes and awards to outstanding farmers and winners of the various competitions organised for students in State-owned schools, as well as the winner of
the Public Speaking competition under the Lagos Agric Scholars Programme, LASP.

Miss Klistiwedo Hunpe from Kankon Senior Model College, Badagry who came first was decorated as the Agric Ambassadors for Year 2022 to Year 2023 during the Farmers Fair, while outstanding farmers went home with different prizes, including a deep chest freezer each.

Ikorodu North LCDA was ably led by Asiwaju Wale Ogunbela JP The Supervisor for Agriculture, rural development and Chieftancy affairs Ikorodu North LCDA.

The AFAN and LASCAFAN members were all represented, HOD Agriculture, members and staffs of Ikorodu North LCDA.

LAGOS STRIKES DEAL WITH PRIVATE FIRM TO MANAGE, OPERATE 32-METRIC TONS IMOTA RICE MILL ~Ajasa-Info

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•Sanwo-Olu presides over MoU signing with WACOT Rice Ltd

Ahead of the commissioning and operation of the 32-metric tons per hour Rice Mill in Imota, Ikorodu, Lagos State Government has handed over the management of the facility to private investor for efficient running.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, presided over the ceremony where officials of the State Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with WACOT Rice Limited, a subsidiary of TGI Group.

The private firm is to provide operational support and manage the mill for nine months in the first instance through Joint Venture. The partnership is subject to renewal subsequently.

Sanwo-Olu is expected to hand over the rice mill in the next few months, after which it would commence commercial operation.

Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, said the privatisation of the rice mill’s operations was to ensure efficiency in the output of the facility, noting that the idea was initiated in 2019 when the State Government started the discussion with the firm.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture (Rice Initiative), Dr. Rotimi Fashola, said the Governor believed the mill would be optimised if it had a respectable private brand behind it and a technical support team that could provide intervention towards making the mill sustainable and functional to its capacity.

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He said: “There is a need for the Government to put the rice mill on the path of sustainability and give it to a handling that will project quality. We sourced to have a partnership in rice production business that has a stable brand and eye for efficiency. This brings forth this Joint Venture and technical support agreement with WACOT.

“In Nigeria today, this is a brand consumers want to purchase in the market. We are delighted that we are able to bring WACOT to the table for technical support, managerial and quality assurance skills. The partnership agreement being signed today will be for nine months in the first instance and subsequently can be renewed. All i’s have been dotted and all t’s have been crossed.”

Group Managing Director of TGI Group, Rahul Savara, said Lagos Government found a great partner in the firm, pledging that the company would be deploying standard technology and services in managing the rice mill.

He said the private firm shared the Sanwo-Olu administration’s conviction to meet high demand for rice and make Lagos self-sufficient in rice production and processing.

“We are ready to work with Lagos State to make the facility run at its best. We will be deploying the best expertise, technique and training to make the Government proud of this investment,”
Savara said.

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, provided the legal instruments backing the MoU.

Other top management staff of TGI Group at the ceremony included the Group’s Executive Director, Jerome Shogbon, Company Secretary, Omowumi Fajemiroye, Head Corporate Communication, Rafiat Gawat, and representative of Banwo & Ighodalo Partner, Azeezah Muse-Sadiq