Building a stronger food system requires more than increasing food production. It also depends on strengthening the systems that connect farmers to finance, markets, technology, storage and consumers.
Over the past week, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Sotinrin, engaged with farmers, industry stakeholders, policymakers and the media on issues shaping Nigeria’s agricultural and food systems.
The engagements focused on several critical areas, including food sovereignty, women’s participation in agriculture, agricultural financing, market access and productivity.
Sotinrin also highlighted the importance of strengthening the journey from the farm to the household, noting that improved production must be supported by effective systems that enable food to move efficiently through the value chain.
The discussions provided an opportunity to examine the challenges facing farmers and other agricultural stakeholders while exploring ways to improve access to finance, strengthen markets and create greater opportunities across the sector.
From conversations around food sovereignty to efforts to expand opportunities for women in agriculture, the engagements reflected the interconnected nature of Nigeria’s food system and the need for coordinated action across the agricultural value chain.
As the Bank of Agriculture continues to engage stakeholders across the sector, the focus remains on building stronger systems that can support farmers, strengthen agribusinesses and contribute to a more resilient food supply.
