News in Brief:
– The postponement of the Renewed Hope Agric Summit and Expo sparked angry reactions online as farmers and stakeholders lamented missed opportunities for networking, education, and boosting the agricultural sector.
– They also criticised the lack of a new date and some even called for the minister’s resignation.
Angry reactions have continued to trail the announcement of government’s postponement of the inaugural Renewed Hope Agriculture Summit and Expo, slated for 21st to 23rd of May, 2024.
A cross section of users on microblogging platform, X (formerly Twitter), vented frustration on the official page of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, over the inability of the organisers to hold the expo.
Missed opportunities and indefinite wait for a new date
Some of the users highlighted the importance of the expo in helping to offer needed support to the country’s agricultural sector, as well as boosting the food value chain.
Also, they highlighted opportunities inherent in such an expo, given the benefits especially in the tough economic climate in the country, to significantly develop and improve the fortunes of the sector.
Expectedly, these opportunities include avenues for networking and collaboration, exposure to new technologies, education and awareness, investment and funding opportunities, as well as business promotion and marketing.
A close observation of the comments showed that the users bemoaned the fact that no specific reason was given by the ministry for postponing the event, neither was any specific time adduced for when it would hold in the future.
For example, a user with the handle, @appahjay said, “What’s the new date? Putting this kind of post out without a new date is very disappointing. It’s mid year already!!!”
Another user, @OIOlawale, pointed out how vital the ministry was in ensuring food security for Nigerians and expectations from citizens from them. He stated that this is the most critical ministry at this time.
He listed expectations from citizens to, ‘Engage states to provide about 2,000ha each, provide equipment to clear the land and also build hostels/warehouses, recruit idle youths for the farms. House and feed them twice daily’, and to ‘get them to farm for at least one year.’
A few others users venting their frustration even called for the sacking or the resignation of the minister in charge of the ministry, as they couldn’t see any future for agriculture with him at the helm of affairs.
Ministry expresses regret, offers no new timeline
It would be recalled that the ministry, through its permanent secretary, had put out a press release announcing the postponement of the expo, citing ‘unforeseen exigencies’, forcing the indefinite adjournment of the programme.
They expressed deep regrets over ‘any inconvenience to members of the public, stakeholders, participants, exhibitors, and service providers earmarked for special roles at the Agric Summit and Expo.’ However, no new date was specified for the programme to hold.
