Minister promises to use MSMEs to drive agriculture

* Constitutes Committee 

The Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), Sen. Abubarka Kyari has promised to proactively make use of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to drive the value chain of food security, just as he constituted a 16-member committee for implementation.

Sen. Abubarka Kyari, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of FMAFS, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, at the signing ceremony held last week in Abuja, stressed that the ministry is dedicated to unlocking value chain opportunities for MSMEs members across key agricultural commodities with comparative advantages.

The committee is tasked with integrating MSMEs into the food productivity value chains for economic stimulation towards job and wealth creation.

The minister emphasized that MSMEs are critical to the nation’s agricultural economy, as he described them as the backbone of food productivity, and a vital source of employment, income, and foreign exchange earnings.

Responding to the Minister, the chairman of the 16-member committee constituted, Mrs. Rose D Gyar, described the inauguration as historic achievement for MSMEs' collaboration in Nigeria.

Gyar said that “ We’ve proven that coming together for national progress is possible. Our goal is not for personal gain, but rather for national unity and economic development." 

She highlighted Nigeria's growing competitiveness in global markets, referencing recent export statistics being released by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council with the ongoing shift from exporting raw agricultural produce without some percentage of value addition.

“We are ready to meet global standards. We must not only export raw produce but also ensure value addition that will increase revenue and global recognition for Nigerian agribusiness."

Mrs. Gyar thanked the Ministry for recognizing the role of MSMEs in food security and pledged continued collaboration across affiliated business organizations towards food security.

Also speaking, the chairman, Board of Trustees ( BOT) for Forum of Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Business Membership Organization, Dr. Albert Akinyemi ably represented by Dr. Linus Obinna expressed gratitude to the Minister for the recognition of MSMEs as key partners in the national agricultural development and food security.

Akinyemi said that " This inauguration assures us that the Ministry understands the importance of stakeholder partnerships in achieving food security."