AS part of efforts to spotlight the importance and contributions of farmers, aggregators, development partners and stakeholders who play a pivotal role in sustaining Nigeria’s food ecosystem, International Breweries Plc (IBPLC) has convened a symposium tagged, ‘Cheers to Farmers’.
The symposium underscored the critical relationship between agriculture and local industries, highlighting how local sourcing not only fuels brewing but also supports livelihoods, strengthens rural economies and advances national food security.
Highlighting the role farmers play in the brewing process and Nigeria’s economy, Managing Director, International Breweries Plc, Carlos Coutiño, recognised the role of farmers in its ecosystem.
Stakeholders from the ministries of Agriculture, Industry, Trade and Investment, farmer cooperatives, aggregators and international organisations like the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), reiterated their shared vision for sustainable agriculture and value chain development.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, who was represented by Samaila Dauda, praised the initiative as a reminder of the crucial link between industry and agriculture. She commended the company’s efforts towards advancing Nigeria’s backward integration policy through increased local sourcing, agro-industrial partnerships and MSME support.
She noted that by sourcing raw materials locally, farmers are being empowered, agro-processing is boosted, and import dependence is reduced.
Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, represented by Iwara Edet, hailed the company’s approach to sourcing.
A pioneer aggregator, Oyedele O.O. of Nikoy Nigeria Ltd, explained the impact of the local sourcing initiative on the agric ecosystem. According to him, they were one of the first sets of millers to partner with IB PLC when they started the local sourcing programme, and since then, local raw materials usage has significantly grown. “One significant effect of this is that farmers are able to benefit economically through the increased and sustained patronage”.
