agro AgroTech Nigeria 2019

The Exhibition

At "agro AgroTech Nigeria", the focus will be on agricultural technology and machinery, tractors, seeds, animal production, horticulture, greenhouse technology, service companies, organisations and trade media. The visitor target groups are made up of small and large farmers and animal breeders from the region. The fair takes place parallel to "food + bev tec" and "food + hospitality Nigeria". The "agro AgroTech Nigeria" takes place annually in Lagos in the Landmark Centre. It is aimed equally at visitors from English-speaking West African countries, but especially at national trade visitors from all parts of the country. Since 2014, "agro West Africa" has been organised by Fairtrade as part of "agrofood West Africa". The "agro AgroTech Nigeria" is run in cooperation with the "DLG". (German Agricultural Society) and fairtrade. The two partners will contribute their know-how in agricultural trade fairs and a comprehensive supporting programme.

The Market

Nigeria has a total land area of 92.4 million hectares, of which 82 million hectares can be cultivated. Agriculture accounts for 24.4% of GDP. The export quota is US$ 1.4 billion and food imports US$ 5.3 billion. The main crops are cassava (66,258*), yam (44,661*), corn (17,241*), sorghum (16,360*) and millet (11,388*). The top 5 export products from agriculture are: cocoa, oilseeds, fruits and nuts, dairy products and spices. In contrast, there is a clear need for demand that significantly outstrips exports. First and foremost fish, wheat, sugar and honey, dairy products, vegetables and oil. (Source: World Bank) Nigeria today faces two major challenges in agriculture: an inability to meet domestic food needs and an inability to export at the quality level necessary for market success. The first problem is a productivity challenge caused by a largely inefficient input system and agricultural model. As a result, an ageing population of farmers does not have enough seeds, fertilisers, irrigation, crop protection and related support to be successful. The latter challenge is driven by an equally inefficient system for setting and enforcing food quality standards and a lack of knowledge of the target markets. Insufficient food testing facilities, a weak inspection system and poor coordination between the competent federal authorities lead to problems at an early stage, such as a lack of knowledge of the permissible pollutant contents. To put the Nigerian agricultural sector on a growth path, measures are needed to fill these two gaps: to produce enough fresh, high quality food for the Nigerian market and to successfully serve the export market and earn foreign exchange. In order to meet the challenges successfully, Nigeria depends on the support of know-how and agricultural and animal husbandry technology from abroad. (Source: Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development)