Director-General of Premier Agribusiness Academy, Francis Toromade has said until farmers see agriculture as a business, the future of the sector will remain poor. He said this at the launch of the academy in Lagos.

During the unveiling, Toromade said the vision of the institution is to be a leading centre of learning, developing and transferring well-researched and innovative competencies required for sustainable investments in non-allied industries of the sector.

He said for the agribusinesses to be profitable, farmers must acquire cognitive skills and essential knowledge needed to boost production, for the country to attain self-sufficiency in food production.

Toromade said: “Agriculture has the ability to contribute significantly to the overall development of the nation’s economy if effectively and efficiently managed. There is a huge difference between agriculture and agribusiness, which makes agriculture business is its ability to generate profit.

“Until farmers begin to see agriculture as a business venture and invest in acquiring the managerial knowledge needed to boost production and ensure profitability, self-sufficiency in food production for Nigeria may remain a mirage.

“The key is agribusiness. It is not enough to know the technical aspect of agriculture or study agriculture in school. To become successful and profitable in agriculture, there is a need for farmers to acquire knowledge of the business side of agriculture, which is what Premier Agribusiness Academy offers,” Toromade said.

He revealed that the academy is willing to collaborate with major players in the agribusiness value chain both locally and internationally.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN