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Idongesit Ashameri
Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security, Hon. Moses Essien, has called for the development of a robust and sustainable agribusiness sector as a strategic pathway to reviving Nigeria’s struggling economy.
Essien made the call while addressing participants at the 4th Agribusiness Roundtable International Conference organised by the Nigeria Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Development Initiative (NAADI) in Uyo at the weekend.
He described the forum as a vital platform bringing together critical stakeholders, policymakers, and investors to drive growth within the agricultural value chain.
The conference, themed “Resilient Agribusiness: A Sustainable Solution for a Changing World,” examined the role of agribusiness in addressing economic instability, climate challenges, and rising food insecurity.
Essien observed that a resilient agribusiness system could adapt and thrive amid global uncertainties while creating jobs, enhancing trade, and diversifying Nigeria’s revenue base.
The lawmaker, who represents Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, commended the agricultural vision of Governor Umo Eno under the ARISE Agenda, noting that the state’s strides in large-scale farming, rural enterprise development, and youth-focused agricultural training were transforming agriculture from a subsistence venture into a competitive enterprise.
He described Ibiono Ibom as a strategic agricultural hub with vast fertile land suitable for the cultivation of cassava, maize, and oil palm. Essien, however, stressed the need for communities and the nation at large to transition from smallholder farming to commercial agribusiness.
According to him, mechanisation, agro-processing, value addition, and access to finance remain critical drivers of progress in the sector. He maintained that agribusiness has the potential to stimulate growth across related sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, finance, and technology.
“As lawmakers, we remain committed to supporting agricultural transformation through enabling legislation, rural infrastructure development, agricultural financing frameworks, and private sector participation,” he stated.
Essien urged participants to translate the conference’s deliberations into actionable collaborations and measurable outcomes capable of repositioning Nigerian agribusiness for global competitiveness.
He further commended NAADI for its consistency in promoting agribusiness development across the country and expressed optimism that resolutions from the conference would accelerate economic diversification, job creation, and food security nationwide.
