BATN Foundation Promotes Sustainable Agriculture in Nigeria
Innovation in Agriculture: BATN Foundation Leads the Way
Empowering Nigeria’s Farmers: Insights from the BATN Masterclass
BY SHEKWOPEYELO
Participants of the recently concluded Business of Agriculture Masterclass 2024 were encouraged to leverage insights gained from the session. They are urged to build thriving agricultural businesses that support economic growth, food security, and environmental sustainability.
Commitment to Sustainable Practices
Oludare Odusanya, General Manager of the BATN Foundation, made this statement during the three-day program. This event brought together key stakeholders, policymakers, and agripreneurs to address pressing challenges in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Odusanya emphasized the Foundation’s commitment to empowering rural communities through sustainable practices.
Supporting Smallholder Farmers
“For the past 20 years, BATN Foundation has supported smallholder farmers through innovative agricultural initiatives,” Odusanya noted. These efforts have contributed to poverty reduction and achieved several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including 1, 2, 6, 8, 10, and 13.
Valuable Insights from the Masterclass
Participants were encouraged to gain actionable insights from the masterclass. The virtual event, themed “Cultivating a Rich Future through Agriculture,” was organized by Cluster 5 of the Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG) in collaboration with the BATN Foundation.
Timeliness of the Event
Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, remarked, “This event aligns perfectly with our mission to ensure food security, economic growth, and sustainable development in Nigeria.” He commended the private sector’s collaborative efforts to advance agriculture and emphasized the need for innovative approaches.
Importance of Innovation
Dr. Mories Atoki, Co-chair of UN PSAG Cluster 5, stressed the importance of innovation. “Innovation is the seed from which transformative changes occur. By fostering a data-driven approach, we can optimize agricultural value chains,” she stated. Atoki also called for new investment models to attract global interest and manage risks.
Masterclass Objectives
The Business of Agriculture Masterclass 2024, held from September 17 to 19, aimed to equip aspiring and established agricultural entrepreneurs. The goal was to provide knowledge and strategies to transform agriculture into a profitable, sustainable business.
Overcoming Longstanding Challenges
The event sought to foster a new era of innovation in Nigeria’s agricultural practices. Participants were provided tools to enhance productivity and address longstanding challenges, such as outdated farming methods, lack of technology, limited investment, and youth disengagement.
Expertly Curated Sessions
The masterclass featured ten expertly curated sessions. Topics ranged from crop production, agri-finance, and agro-processing to animal husbandry, aquaculture, and agricultural technology. The opening session, titled “Planting the Seeds of Innovation,” set the stage for discussions on adopting innovative solutions.
