Courtesy of HortiNigeria Programme, the lucky MSMEs – Farm Help Agro-Stores and Candel among others, drawn from Kaduna, Kano, Ogun, Oyo, and Lagos states, emerged at the maiden HortiFair held in Ogun State.
The HortiNigeria Programme, funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) in Nigeria, is a five-year programme, which started in 2021 and would end in 2025. The programme is led by International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC) and implemented together with East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation, KIT Royal Tropical Institute, and Wageningen University & Research.
The fair, had in attendance over 70 participants, including representatives of the Netherlands Consulate and Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria, delegates from the Dutch-funded Collaborative Seed Program, leaders of top Dutch agricultural companies, the HortiNigeria team, HortiNigeria’s business champions, officials from the Nigeria Export Processing and Zones Authority (NEPZA) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
In her opening remarks, the Agricultural Counsellor for Ghana and Nigeria, Inge Tenniglo, emphasised the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange in shaping the future of agriculture.
She urged the participants to embrace the opportunity for mutual learning and partnership building, underscoring the shared commitment to sustainable agriculture and food security.
While highlighting the fair’s crucial role, HortiNigeria Program Director, Mohammed Salasi Idris emphasised its effectiveness in fostering face-to-face communications, saying it is pivotal for nurturing fruitful partnerships and investments that promise to drive significant transformation within the horticulture subsector.
In preparation for the high stake interaction, HortiNigeria conducted a two-day bootcamp in collaboration with Welcome to Africa. The session was to prepare Nigeria business partners with essential pitching skills to enable them refine their approaches and glean constructive feedback.
The effort was aimed towards ensuring that the businesses could engage with the Dutch contingent with confidence and clarity.
Echoing the sentiments of many participants, the CEO of Simkay, Rejoice Usim, said: “I have participated in numerous pitching events, but the insightful feedback from the Welcome to Africa team has spurred me to refine my business strategy. It has prompted me to think strategically about how to segment the messaging about my business to effectively communicate our vision and potential for investment and partnerships.”
The fair showcased a plethora of products from various companies, including vegetable seedlings from East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer, Smiley’z tomato paste, and EcoTutu’s innovative cooling solutions, among others.
Event highlights included a tour of the recently inaugurated Greenport Nigeria Impact Cluster Facility, a networking session fostering dynamic interactions between Dutch and Nigerian companies, and a presentation of awards to all HortiNigeria business champions and partners, recognising their contributions to horticultural development.
There was also a visit to the avant-garde Soilless Farm Lab, which provided delegates with insights into the latest agricultural practices and technologies.
Reflecting on the event, the CEO of Mix-Condiment Limited, a processing plant in Kano, Hajia Amina, shared: “The dialogue with Dutch companies and other sector actors has been enlightening. The discussions and tours revealed the vast possibilities and opportunities within the industry. It is inspiring to think bigger and do more, not just for my business, but for the broader agribusiness ecosystem, enhancing the livelihoods of many, especially farmers.”
Feedback from the event was positive, with representatives from Bakker Brothers and East-West Seed and the CEOs of Beta Agric and Tecni Seeds Limited lauding the opportunities for growth, innovation, and partnership that the HortiFair facilitated. The interactions were not only engaging but also deeply constructive, laying the groundwork for strengthening existing partnerships and forging new ones.
The Country Manager for East-West Seed, Hadiza Yaro, who remarked on the significance of the event, said: “Interacting with businesses we have had long-standing relationships with and forging new ones was incredibly valuable. We discussed successes, challenges, and avenues for improvement, making the dialogue both interactive and meaningful.”
The CEO of Welcome to Africa, Seun Bamidele, acknowledged the event’s role in initiating meaningful collaborations, promising ongoing support for the budding interactions between Nigerian businesses and Dutch companies.
The Executive Director, Netherlands Food Partnership, Ivo Demmers, who extended a vote of thanks, affirmed the HortiFair’s role in setting a new benchmark for future horticultural trade fairs.
He celebrated the event’s capacity to demonstrate the transformative impact of shared knowledge, technology, and innovative practices in food security and agricultural development, paving the way for future Dutch-Nigerian collaboration in agribusiness.
