JR Farms, a key player in the cassava and coffee sectors across Nigeria, Rwanda, and Zambia, has introduced “Food for Nations,” a cutting-edge digital platform. This innovative initiative aims to revolutionize and digitize the export process, fostering seamless agricultural trade between Nigeria and France.
Unveiled by the esteemed French Minister of Foreign Trade, Olivier Becht, the platform sets out to create a unified space for stakeholders in the agri-food value chain. By bringing together producers, buyers, logistics experts, and warehousing operators, “Food for Nations” paves the way for a more efficient and streamlined export and import process for food products.
Olawale Rotimi, the General Manager of JR Farms, sees this platform as a catalyst not only for strengthening ties with France but also for expanding collaborations with other European Union countries. “With the registration of JR Farms in France, we also plan to acquire agricultural land in France. We are currently in the process of doing so,” Rotimi revealed, expressing optimism about exporting basic products to France, drawing parallels with the country’s successful export of cereals to North Africa.
In 2022 alone, France exchanged goods worth 166 million euros (US$182 million) with Nigeria, importing 126 million euros (US$138 million) of food products. French Minister Olivier Becht underscored the government’s keen interest in deepening trade relationships with Nigeria, especially in the agricultural export sector. He hailed the “Food for Nations” digital trade platform as a significant milestone, recognizing France’s pivotal role in harnessing the quality and diversity of food in the Nigerian market.
Highlighting the collaborative spirit of the initiative, Rotimi mentioned agreements with two French companies for the training of selected cohorts on best agribusiness practices. This platform, designed to bridge Nigeria, Africa, and the European Union, holds the potential to transform global trade in the food industry.
The enthusiasm extends to local government officials. Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Miss Abisola, outlined plans to reshape the food system in Lagos, emphasizing collaboration with the French government. The Ekiti State Commissioner for Investment and Trade, Mrs. Omotayo Adeola, sought investors to boost the state’s international market presence, expressing confidence in the “Food for Nations” platform as a gateway for Nigerian producers to access the European Union market and foster African intercontinental trade.
As the platform aims to reduce post-harvest losses and increase market access, “Food for Nations” emerges not just as a digital innovation but as a transformative force in the future of agricultural trade, uniting nations through the language of food and commerce.
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