HE Dr. Morie Komba Manyeh has attended an important UK Trade, Investment & Agribusiness Summit in the historic city of Peterborough, where he delivered a compelling address to a distinguished assemblage of industry experts, academics, investors and entrepreneurs. The event, organized by Mr. Godson Azu and his team at Carter and Merger Consult Ltd, focused on the theme “Understanding and Exploring the Potentials of Agri-Tech and Agribusiness” within the context of Climate Change Dynamics and its impact on Trade and Investment Trends.
The summit was formerly opened by The Worshipful Mayor of Peterborough city council, Cllr. Marco Cereste, and ably moderated by Mr. David Smith of the British African Business Alliance.
Dr. Manyeh began his speech by expressing gratitude to the organizers and acknowledging the crucial roles played by farmers, entrepreneurs, investors, and politicians in propelling the agricultural sector forward. Emphasizing the importance of food production and distribution, he noted that under the steadfast stewardship of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, Agriculture is at the top of the list of Sierra Leone’s “5 Big Game Changers” policy pillars.
“Agriculture is not merely a policy slogan for us,” Dr. Manyeh declared, referring to Sierra Leone’s “Operation Feed the Nation” program. “It is a critical area of our national development priorities.”
Dr. Manyeh underscored the extensive subject matter of the summit, which encapsulates the transformative changes in agriculture and related sectors. He pointed out two critical issues: climate change and innovation trends, both of which are considerably impacting global trade dynamics.
“In the context of countries like Sierra Leone, where agriculture remains a cornerstone of the economy, the convergence of innovation, technology, and strategic policy initiatives presents a beacon of hope and a pathway to progress,” he said. Dr. Manyeh highlighted the potential of Agri-Tech and Agribusiness revolutions in enhancing food security, increasing productivity, and fostering sustainable development.
Addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by the agricultural sector in Sierra Leone and across Africa, he identified climate change as a significant threat, manifesting in erratic weather patterns, soil degradation, and water scarcity. He emphasized the importance of integrating innovative solutions, such as climate-smart agricultural practices and resilient crop varieties.
Dr. Manyeh also spoke on the role of technology in transforming agricultural value chains. He noted that by enhancing transparency, traceability, and efficiency, blockchain has the potential to revolutionize trade and investment trends, unlocking new avenues for economic growth and development.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Manyeh called for actionable strategies and collaboration among farmers, business leaders, policymakers, and innovators to harness the full potential of Agri-Tech and Agribusiness revolutions. He urged the gathering to create connections with ongoing efforts in Africa, highlighting the continent’s vast agricultural and arable land resources.
“By embracing innovation, leveraging technology, and adopting sustainable practices, we can pave the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for all,” Dr. Manyeh concluded, emphasising the need for collaboration at all levels, and the importance of supporting each other to overcome global challenges
The summit provided a rich platform for knowledge sharing, skills exchange, and fostering investment opportunities in the agricultural sector, including its many supply chain layers.
Credit – Abdulai Braima
Information Attaché
SLHC- London
Copyright –Published in print in Expo Times Newspaper on Friday, May 24th , 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)