The fifth panel discussion held at the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum highlighted the importance of identifying competitive advantages in agriculture to achieve food security in both the Caribbean and African regions.
Executive Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria, Babajide Sanwoolu emphasized the need for countries to determine their strengths in agriculture and leverage them to address food security concerns.
He also stressed the significance of identifying countries with the capacity for cost-effective production and those with suitable markets for agricultural products.
Sanwoolu further expressed his commitment to providing guaranteed offtake and proper market access for farmers from the Caribbean and other African countries, even if he may not have vast tracts of agricultural land available.
Discussions during the panel also addressed the need for governments to make farming an appealing option for young people and provide incentives for them to establish and grow their own agribusinesses.
Escipion Gomez, Director of Enterprise Competitiveness and Institutions at the International Trade Centre, emphasized the importance of global competitiveness for small and medium-sized enterprises.
He highlighted that while having financial resources is crucial, overall competitiveness can be enhanced by adding value to products.
The panel, which included prominent figures like Dr. Patrick Antoine, CEO of the Caribbean Private Sector Organisation, and Fayaz Shah of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, focused on strategies to improve agricultural productivity and expand opportunities for agribusiness, ultimately contributing to enhanced food security.
[Reported by Josiah Williams for NCN News]