FACAN, Afe University on Agricultural market collaboration

The President, the Federation of Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN)/Nigerian-American Chambers of Commerce ( NACC), Alhaji Sheriff Balogun has entered into a market collaboration with the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti ( ABUAD) management towards enhancing market efficiency for the majority of the processed food varieties that are being produced in the citadel.

This collaborative initiative is coming at the instance of the impressive feasibility tour of the institute by the FACAN team which was followed by the meeting with the university founder, Chief Afe Babalola together and his management team last week at Ado Ekiti.

Balogun who doubled as FACAN/NACC president promised to fast-track the establishment of the industrial park in the university through Export Free Trade Zone to enhance marketability and export visibility of Agricultural products with the Institute becoming centre of ideas and technologies criss crossing ideas for students' best practices in agriculture.

Also, the collaboration initiative is expected to ensure the establishment of world vegetable centre at the university conversion centre just as Balogun 

expressed happiness with what he saw on the campus in terms of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities that are very competitive globally.

 He promised to use his dual positions as president of FACAN and NACC to strategically position ABUAD to be able to effectively attract economic potentials the institute possessed in Agricultural productivity through the Federal Government and NACC.

Other areas of collaborations include the followings

ABUAD will documentation on prior efforts to obtain Free Trade Zone status as FACAN will engage with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment to accelerate the approval process.

The meeting noted that Afe Babalola Industrial Park is being powered by an independent plant with global recognition of sustainable energy that can strengthen the cassava, yam, spices vegetables, and all other Agricultural products' value chains.

Utilize NACC's trade networks to facilitate the export of ABUAD 's Agricultural processed produce which was in line with FACAN policy advocacy efforts to improve Agricultural trade.

FACAN and NACC will assist ABUAD in securing international funding and grants for Agricultural expansion, research, and educational initiatives.