- Improving Export Competitiveness Key to Economic Success
As the government positions the economy to drive global growth, Federation of Agricultural Commodities of Nigeria (FACAN) National President Dr Victor Iyana has said its success will be powered by enhancing export competitiveness of young entrepreneurs.
Iyana stressed the need to help producers become make more profit by growing and selling ginger, cocoa, pepper and other export crops.
According to him, crop specialists need to train producers in industry best practices.
He called for policies and programmes that make targeting the development of exporters a priority.
According to him, the government needs to offer tailor-made exporters development programmes.
To him, the government should intensify efforts to assist entrepreneurs to ascertain if their business is export ready. This includes offering guidance on how to review business operating systems, processes and practices to determine if they are suited for cross-border commercial activities.
He explained that agro producers needed access to financial services, training and land titles to help them grow and create wealth for themselves as well as jobs for others.
To raise food production, it was imperative to improve the business environment in rural areas while promoting entrepreneurship and creating jobs.
He went on to emphasise that ensuring agricultural development by enhancing exports will boost productivity and reduce poverty.
In order to increase food production, it was imperative to improve the business environment in rural areas while promoting entrepreneurship and creating jobs.
The focus on small producers, he noted, was of key importance as it represented a value-chain approach.
He said with 70 per cent of the population’s dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods, and given its abundant water resources, temperate climate and untapped agricultural farmland, Nigeria should not be subjected to poverty and food insecurity.
However, ensuring food security transcends the bounds of traditional practices, he said stressing the importance of innovative approaches, among them developing appropriate policies, mobilising local resources, sensitising communities, building strong partnerships and creating an enabling business environment for the private sector.
