Brazil Promises 5m Jobs In Agriculture For Nigerians, As Agritech Nigeria Trade Fair Begins In Osun State

OLADAPO OLUWABUNMI OLANIKE

Ambassador Ricardo Guerra de Araujo of Brazil speaking at the Agritech Nigeria Osun 2019 in Osogbo on Tuesday

 

Ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria, His Excellency, Ricardo Guerra de Araujo, has revealed his country’s plans to engaged five millions Nigerians in active employment when the Nigeria-Brazil Agricultural Development Programme tagged “The Green Imperative” becomes operational across the country.

The Brazilian envoy made this public during the opening ceremony of the first-ever international agricultural exhibition and conference tagged Agritech Nigeria Osun 2019 which began in the capital city of the State of Osun, Osogbo on Tuesday.

Interestingly, no official of the Government of the State of Osun was present in official capacity in an event which had in physical attendance about six Ambassadors and High Commissioners of foreign country as well as representatives of others including the United Nations.

Araujo told a packed full audience that were mainly farmers, bank representatives, women groups, Federal Government agencies and young farmers at the Aurora International Conference Centre that the Green Imperative is an initiative that entails the introduction of advanced Brazilian Agricultural Equipment (ABIMAQ) and the establishment of Training Centres for Nigerian Farmers across the country.

The Green Imperative will be operated under $1.1 Billion loan facility from Brazilian Government.

“The project of Green Imperatives has been targeted to produce five millions jobs for Nigerians who will be gainfully employed as technicians and other service providers to work in the service centres which will produce tractors for the use of teeming Nigerian farmers. The service centres will be set up in the six geo political zones of the country, 778 local government areas and senatorial districts across the country,” said Araujo who was speaking during the Diplomatic/Economic Forum of the Conference Section of the ongoing Agritech Nigeria Osun 2019.

The Brazilian diplomat said that the aim of the Green Imperative in the long run is to encourage mechanization of Nigerian agriculture and boost food security. According to him, in Brazil, the government used to encourage the youths to go into farming by first give them education and training before empowering them with needed funds to succeed in farming.

Some of the Ambassadors at the event

 

While speaking during Israeli Embassy’s Session, Mrs Florence Osuji, Senior Economic Officer of the Embassy chided Nigeria over the neglect of researches in agriculture, adding that Israel is able to become a powerhouse in agriculture in the world today because of its extensive researches and modern technology..

“We all know that Israel is disadvantaged because of climatic conditions and the environment which is harsh, but the Israelis were able to turn this unfavourable conditions to opportunities through technology,” said Mrs Osuji who held the session on behalf of her Ambassador.

While declaring the agricultural trade fair open, the Chairman of the Governing Board of Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Barrister (Hon). Adetunji Ajagbe commended the brains behind the initiative of Agritech Nigeria Osun 2019, saying that they are good example of patriotic Nigerians who must be supported by all.

President of Osun State All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Suleiman Araokanmi reiterated the importance of farmers in the development of the nation, adding that farmers need the support of both the government and the private sector.

Ambassador David Nieves Velasquez (right) and Deputy Head of Mission of Cuban Embassy, Mrs. Leydis Bernal Suarez (2nd right) at the exhibition ground

 

In her welcome address, Mrs Olufunmilayo Osonde, a Director of Fesco Agalu Nigeria Limited, a privately owned company which is organising the Agritech Nigeria Osun 2019 said: “We welcome all our guests, all the Ambassadors from Brazil, Venezuela, Cuba, Cote d’Ivoire, Republic of Benin, High Commissioner from Kenya, representative of Israeli Embassy and the representative of the United Nations Women, the exhibitors and visitors to this first-ever international exhibition and conference tagged Agritech Nigeria Osun 2019.

“The purpose of this Agritech Nigeria event is to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s policy of diversifying Nigeria’s reliance on oil to agriculture, to turn agriculture to real business, proffering solutions to many problems we are having in Agriculture in Nigeria.

“We are proud to say that this is our own noble contribution to lift up our country,” she said.

The event continued on Wednesday with the Deputy Head of Mission of Cuban Embassy, Mrs. Leydis Bernal Suarez, Ambassador David Nieves Velasquez from Venezuela and the Ivorian delegation holding separate sessions during the Diplomatic/Economic Forum. Kenyan High Commissioner, Wilfred Gusuka Machage had featured in his country’s session on Tuesday. Exhibition is holding simultaneously with the conference sessions.

A cross section of attendees inside conference hall