Coy seeks Obasanjo’s assistance in improved agric policies 

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has been urged to support with encouraging the Nigerian government and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector to come up with policies that will be more investor-friendly in order to tap and utilize the country’s huge potentials.

The Country Cluster Commercial Lead Bayer West Central Africa, Laurent Perez made this call, when he led his team on a courtesy visit to the former President in Abeokuta, yesterday.

Perez said that the call had become imperative in view of the strategic role of Nigeria in the agricultural environment, even as he observed that the potentials have not fared well.

In a release by the Media Aide to the former President, Kehinde Akinyemi, Perez stated that, “Nigeria is a strategic Market with huge potentials and a very active Agricultural environment. However, the huge potentials have not translated to profitable results and opportunities that are expected.

“In the light of this, Bayer AG Germany decided to invest in Nigeria for the long term, hence a fully staffed Bayer Middle Africa subsidiary was set up to serve as a conduit to bring global world-class innovative Crop Protection solutions and seeds to Nigerian farmers.”

Perez affirmed further that, “we are confident that you will use your good office to help government and other stakeholders in the Agricultural sector to come up with policies that will be investor-friendly so that the huge potentials in Nigeria can be fully tapped and utilised.”

He added that the company was also poised “to offer free trainings on our product usage, good Agricultural Practices, Safety use of Agrochemicals and Stewardship. These are activities  which form an important part of our offering in Nigeria.

“Bayer AG is an innovative Life Science company whose major focus is to bring innovation to our farmers for better yield and profitability. For over 100 years, Bayer has been at the forefront of ensuring this.

“As a major stakeholder and strong voice in Nigeria and Africa, Bayer is willing to partner with Obasanjo Farms in order to achieve our set objectives for Nigeria.”

Obasanjo in his response promised to continue to support in whatever role to improve the country’s agricultural potentials.

The former President thanked Bayer for the presentation and suggested that Bayer should do more in the area of publicity, hinting that the product, Lagon, which the company brought to introduce to the Nigerian farm market, was introduced to him in Switzerland, “and as a major Cassava producer, this shouldn’t be so. I will want the product to be used on every Maize and Cassava farm of Obasanjo Farms pan-Nigeria.

He also requested that a demonstration at different farm locations in Nigeria be carried out, with Bayer providing all the technical support to solve all the challenges that arise.

On Perez team were the Managing Director, Bayer Middle Africa, Mohammed Jimoh, Country’s Sales Manager, Temitope Banjo, Development & Regulatory Affairs Manager, Ahmed Mansur Bello and Area Sales Manager, South West, Adeyemi Adeyemo.

The Chief of Staff of the Obasanjo Farms Limited (OFL), Deacon Durodola and some top members of the OFL joined the former President to receive the Bayer team.