The federal government on Saturday commissioned the Agribusiness Incubation Centre (ABIC) at the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Kogi, to boost food production and security in Nigeria.

Commissioning the project in Lokoja, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ernest Umakhihe, said the centre’s focus included enhancing production capacity, value addition, quality control, and standards.

He said it would also open access to local and international markets for agricultural produce.

He said, “The incubation centre is being established as a Special Centre of Excellence to support and promote food security in Nigeria and to support youth and women’s empowerment, as well as promote employment generation, wealth creation, and poverty reduction.

“This will be through the development of viable agribusiness and entrepreneurship skills in different agricultural value chains across the country.

“The project is aimed at facilitating and attracting investments into the agricultural sector, ensuring survival and sustainability of agri-based businesses and increasing domestic food production and exports.”

The permanent secretary said the centre would serve as a practical knowledge hub where practical skills, processes, and inputs could be acquired on particular commodities.

He said the centre will also produce a young generation of successor farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs.

“The centre is equipped to provide business basics through comprehensive training programmes along commodity value chains and business start-ups, including access to bank loans and other funds and guarantee programmes,” he said.

(NAN)