As an off-shoot of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s giant strides in the area of agriculture, the Ekiti Diaspora community will be hosting the Hon Commissioner for Agriculture, Ebenezer Boluwade at a virtual Town Hall Engagement.
In this wise, Governor Oyebanji is gaining recognition world wide. He was recently invited to be the Keynote Speaker at: The UK Trade and Investment: Agribusiness and AgriTech Summit/Farm Tour in Peterborough City, UK where he was represented by the Director General for Ekiti Diaspora Relations: Dr. Adeola Adeleye-Fasubaa. She highlighted on the agricultural development and opportunities in the state, including the need to empower young farmers and women, through international funding, grants and investments. She also spoke about the innovative Adire Hub initiated by the Ekiti First Lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji.
The Agribusiness and AgriTech Summit/Farm Tour in Peterborough, was organized by Cater and Merger Consult Limited. This event held over four days at the prestigious Hilton HolidayInn Peterborough, bringing together over 65 participants, including industry leaders, innovators, policymakers, and investors, to explore the latest advancements in agribusiness and AgriTech, foster collaborations, and discuss sustainable practices. This gathering was a melting pot of ideas and innovations, featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, and on-site farm tours, providing comprehensive insights into the industry’s current state and future directions in the United Kingdom, Europe, and Africa.
The Worshipful Mayor of the City of Peterborough, Clir. Marcos Cereste declared the Summit open while
His Excellency, Amb. Dr. Morie Manyah, the High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to the United Kingdom delivered a keynote address,
highlighting the vast agricultural potential of Sierra Leone, Dr. Manyah’s address underscored the significance of international collaboration and technological advancements to boost agricultural productivity and sustainability in Africa.
Several panel discussions formed a crucial part of the summit, featuring rich insights from leading tech firms, agricultural businesses, investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. These discussions delved deeply into various aspects of the agribusiness and AgriTech sectors, such as the future of AgriTech, investment opportunities in agribusiness, and the regulatory landscape affecting the sector. The panels were moderated by notable figures like Mr. David Smith, Chairman of the British African Business Alliance, and Engr. Nweike Onwuyali, CEO of Ziphii Technology UK. These panels explored emerging technologies, financial aspects, and regulatory frameworks necessary to support innovation while ensuring environmental sustainability and food safety.
In addition to the insightful discussions, participants had the opportunity to visit local farms showcasing cutting-edge AgriTech solutions, such as automated machinery, drone technology, and sustainable farming practices. These hands-on demonstrations provided practical, on-the-ground insights into the applications and benefits of these innovations. For instance, the Hill Farm tour, hosted by Paddy Ivens, demonstrated automated machinery and sustainable farming techniques in action, offering participants a first-hand look at how technology is being employed to improve farm operations and productivity. Similarly, the visit with ‘Farmer Tom’ Thomas Martin highlighted the use of drone technology for crop monitoring and precision agriculture, showing the benefits of real-time data collection and analysis in improving crop management and reducing environmental impact.
