DEBO AKANDE TAKES OYO STATE’S AGRIBUSINESS AGENDA TO THAILAND, ADVANCES GLOBAL PUSH AGAINST HAZARDOUS PESTICIDES
DEBO AKANDE TAKES OYO STATE’S AGRIBUSINESS AGENDA TO THAILAND, ADVANCES GLOBAL PUSH AGAINST HAZARDOUS PESTICIDES
.......Oyo State to benefit from FARM+ Global Initiative as Akande highlights safer Agricultural practices, improved food safety and stronger access to international markets
By Moyosoreoluwa Olamilekan Eldreez
Dr Adebowale “Debo” Akande DBA CMGR FCIM, Executive Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Agribusiness and International Cooperation Development, Director General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) and Director of Partnerships for Delivery at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), has reaffirmed the importance of international collaboration in promoting safer Agricultural practices, strengthening food safety and improving the competitiveness of Nigerian Agricultural products in global markets.
Dr Debo Akande disclosed this following his participation in the global initiative of the Financing Agrochemical Reduction and Management Plus (FARM+) Programme in Thailand, a follow-up to an earlier planning meeting held in Abuja.
The FARM+ Programme is supported by financing from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the African Development Bank (AfDB), with a reported funding commitment of $7.8 million. The initiative seeks to reduce the use of highly hazardous pesticides and promote improved management practices across Agricultural value chains.
According to Dr. Akande, the engagement provided another opportunity to advance Oyo State's Agribusiness development priorities through his role at IITA, while connecting the state's Agricultural stakeholders to international efforts aimed at improving food safety, protecting human health and promoting environmentally responsible farming.
ADDRESSING FOOD EXPORT REJECTIONS
A major focus of the discussions was how to tackle the underlying factors responsible for the rejection of Nigerian Agricultural exports in international markets, including concerns relating to pesticide residues, food safety standards and compliance with import requirements.
Akande highlighted reports indicating that a significant proportion of Nigeria's food exports face rejection, underscoring the need for stronger compliance with international standards and improved Agricultural production practices.
He also drew attention to concerns about unintentional acute pesticide poisoning in Nigeria, stressing the importance of reducing exposure to hazardous Agrochemicals and strengthening awareness among farmers and other actors across the Agricultural value chain.
The FARM+ initiative is expected to contribute to efforts to address these challenges by promoting safer alternatives, responsible pesticide management and practices that protect farmers, consumers and the wider environment.
OYO FARMERS AND AGRIBUSINESSES TO BENEFIT
For Oyo State, the initiative presents opportunities to strengthen Agricultural productivity while ensuring that farming practices meet evolving health, safety and environmental standards.
Through engagement with farmers, Agrochemical users, processors, exporters and other Agribusiness stakeholders, the programme can help promote better knowledge of pesticide application, safer handling practices, integrated pest management and compliance with export market requirements.
These interventions are particularly relevant as Oyo State continues to pursue an Agribusiness development agenda that links Agricultural production with processing, value addition, investment and market access.
Improved pesticide management and adherence to food safety standards could help reduce risks to public health, minimise avoidable export rejections and enhance the ability of Nigerian Agricultural products to compete in international markets.
The initiative also reinforces the need for collaboration among government institutions, research organisations, development partners, farmers and private-sector operators to address persistent challenges affecting Agricultural production and trade.
STRENGTHENING INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
Akande's participation in the Thailand engagement reflects the growing importance of international partnerships in addressing challenges that extend beyond farm-level production to public health, environmental sustainability and global Agricultural trade.
Through the Phenomenal System Builder Dr Debo Akande responsibilities at OYSADA and IITA's Partnerships for Delivery, he continues to engage with initiatives that connect Agricultural research, development programmes and practical solutions for farmers and Agribusiness operators.
The FARM+ initiative provides a platform for advancing knowledge exchange and promoting approaches that reduce dependence on highly hazardous pesticides without compromising effective crop protection and Agricultural productivity.
For Oyo State, translating these global discussions into practical interventions will be important in ensuring that farmers and Agribusinesses can adopt safer production methods, meet market requirements and benefit from emerging opportunities in the Agricultural sector.
A SAFER AND MORE COMPETITIVE AGRICULTURAL FUTURE
The engagement underscores the need to balance increased Agricultural production with the protection of human health, environmental sustainability and the quality of food entering domestic and international markets.
As Nigeria seeks to strengthen its Agricultural export performance and expand opportunities for Agribusiness investment, initiatives such as FARM+ offer a framework for addressing pesticide-related risks while supporting more sustainable Agricultural value chains.
For Oyo State, the expected benefits lie in translating international cooperation into improved practices at the farm level, stronger compliance throughout the value chain and greater confidence in the safety and quality of Agricultural produce.
Ultimately, the success of the initiative will depend on sustained collaboration, effective implementation and the ability to equip farmers and Agribusiness stakeholders with the knowledge and support needed to adopt safer, more sustainable and internationally competitive Agricultural practices.
Reported by Moyosoreoluwa Olamilekan Eldreez