FG partners USAID on agribusiness investors resource centre
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development has launched a new agribusiness resource centre funded by the
United States Government Feed the Future Initiative and USAID with technical
assistance from Africa Lead.
The resource centre which is both
an online platform and physical centre, will serve as a one-stop information
and advisory hub to help streamline the investment process for current and
prospective agribusiness investors.
The centre will work to increase access
and dissemination of key information, products and services that will not only
ease new investor entry and increase local agribusiness investment, but also
improve and facilitate the registration, start up, and expansion of
agribusinesses throughout the country.
Speaking at the launch of the
centre, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said
“unfortunately, the lack of well functioning agricultural resource centre to
assist investors with all necessary task of setting up agribusiness create
uncertainty in attracting and facilitating investments.
“As a way of achieving this, the
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development sought and secured the
support of the USAID-Africa Lead and the US government Feed the Future
Initiative for the establishment of a Nigeria Agribusiness Resource Centre.
‘‘I am persuaded by the immense
benefit of the Nigeria Agribusiness Resources Centre in our import substitution
drive and as a laudable approach in the diversification of the nation’s economy
through the agricultural sector”.
A one-stop referral system will
refer prospective and existing investors to other government agencies and
private sector providers based on investors needs.
The investors resource centre
will also improve coordination between critical investment support agencies and
various government stakeholders including Federal Ministry of Agriculture and
Rural Development and other ministries, departments and agencies at both the
Federal and state level.
Comments
Post a Comment