Prof. Jude Mbanasor, President of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria
Experts at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI) have stressed that strengthening Nigeria’s agro-food value chains is crucial for achieving food security and sustainable development.
The two-day international conference, titled “Agro-Food Value Chain Management in Nigeria: Pathway to Resilient Food System and Sustainable Development,” highlighted the need to strengthen linkages across production, processing, distribution, and consumption.
Prof. Jude Mbanasor, President of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria, called for a comprehensive renewal of Nigeria’s agricultural value chains, emphasising integrated approaches to reduce postharvest losses, increase farmer incomes, and enhance market competitiveness.
He urged governments to support coordinated models, infrastructure, and evidence-based policy reforms to unlock agriculture’s economic potential.
Prof. Robert Onyeneke, CHAIN Project Coordinator and Dean of AE-FUNAI’s Faculty of Agriculture, noted that weak linkages continue to undermine livelihoods and food security.
He emphasised the university’s applied research and capacity-building efforts, including climate-smart agriculture and agribusiness development, aimed at translating academic knowledge into practical solutions for rural communities.
Lead paper presenter Prof. Eric Eboh highlighted the cassava-garri value chain, stressing that context-specific, coordinated interventions across production, processing, and marketing can boost output, stabilise supply, and create jobs, demonstrating the transformative potential of strategic value chain development.
The conference convened academics, policymakers, industrialists and farmers to explore actionable strategies for Nigeria’s resilient and inclusive food sector.
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