BATN Foundation Urges Collaborative Support For Smallholder Farmers

A dialogue session on agriculture hosted by the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) brought into focus a review of government and private sector strategies aimed at uplifting smallholder farmers and their families towards a sustainable future.

The session featured a series of insightful breakout sessions that addressed critical topics related to this endeavor.

The event, under the overarching theme “Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Creating Sustainable Strategies and Pathways for Smallholder Farmers in the Agrifood System,” served as a platform for in-depth discussions and deliberations.

Distinguished participants, including government representatives, private sector stakeholders, and experts, convened to explore and analyze the strategies and initiatives necessary to drive the smallholder farming sector forward.

In his keynote speech, Professor Olusola Kehinde, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), praised the efforts of the event organizers and emphasized the relevance of these deliberations in paving the way for sustainable agricultural practices by international norms.

He highlighted the significance of directing attention to the opportunities within the Nigerian agricultural value chain while minimizing apprehensions regarding the inevitable challenges.

Commenting on the need to tackle insecurity and create a conducive business environment, Professor Kehinde noted, “A major expectation of the dialogue is to be able to propose sustainable, innovative, practicable solutions and strategies to address this menace”.

Ololade Johnson-Agiri, Executive Director, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) in her opening remark stated that since the inception of the Foundation in 2002, the Foundation has remained committed on sustainable agriculture development and the improvement of livelihoods of smallholder farmers, their families, and communities.

“In her words: “Since the establishment of the BATN Foundation in 2002, we have been working determinedly to empower smallholder farmers through a range of programmes and initiatives. We believe that smallholder farmers are the key to unlocking Nigeria’s agricultural potential and ensuring food security for future generations.”

Throughout the dialogue, participants reviewed and assessed the effectiveness of existing government policies and private sector initiatives.

They also discussed potential collaborations between these two sectors to maximize their impact on smallholder farmers and their families.

Participants emphasized the importance of governments at all levels in improving access to essential resources such as land, water, and financing for smallholder farmers.

Strategies to streamline resource allocation and enhance accessibility were discussed, with a focus on sustainability.

The breakout sessions explored the integration of technology in agriculture, highlighting the potential for digital solutions to enhance productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve market access for smallholder farmers.

Participants also recognized the need to establish stronger market linkages for smallholder farmers even as strategies were discussed to create more direct and transparent channels for farmers to access markets, thereby increasing their income and overall sustainability.

The sessions stressed the importance of continuous training and capacity-building programs for smallholder farmers to equip farmers with the knowledge and skills required for modern and sustainable farming practices.

Environmental considerations were also a significant focus, with discussions on sustainable farming practices, natural resource management, and climate-resilient & smart agriculture to ensure a sustainable future for smallholder farmers.

The outcomes of these breakout sessions serve as valuable awareness for stakeholders in the government and private sector to develop and refine strategies that will empower smallholder farmers and their families emphasizing that by collectively addressing these critical areas, a more sustainable and prosperous future for smallholder farmers in the agrifood system would be created.