iProduce Engages with The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in Abuja extended an invitation to the Inara Foundation to meet on the 7th of October 2021.

We were hosted by the ever graceful Director (Commodities and Export Department) Mr. S. A. Audu.

The purpose of the meeting was to give the Ministry insight into the activities of the Inara Foundation and to discuss possible avenues for collaboration. A presentation was made by Mrs. Aisha Umar the founder of Inara Foundation and iProduce to the Director, the Deputy Director and other officials.

Many fruitful discussions were had and we wish to thank the Honourable Minister and the Directors who made this engagement possible. We look forward to taking the next steps as discussed in this meeting.

Stay tuned for further updates in this regard.

Global Food Safety & Agricultural Health Standards

Understanding Global Food Safety & Agricultural Health Standards

1.Animal Feed Good animal feeding plays a vital role in animal health & welfare and in the production of safe and quality products of animal origin.

2 . Antimicrobial resistance Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global threat of increasing concern to human and animal health. It also has implications for both food safety and food security and the economic well being of millions of farming households.

3. Biotechnology While there is little controversy about many aspects of biotechnology and its application, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are often the target of very intensive debate.

4. Contaminants Contaminants are chemical substances that have not been intentionally added to food or feed and may pose a risk to animal and human health.

5. Nutrition & Labelling The food label is one of the most important tools consumers can use to make informed choices about healthy and safe foods.

6. Pesticides Pesticides with public health uses are intended to limit the potential for disease. By their nature, many pesticides may pose some risk to humans, animals, or the environment.

Inara’s Economic Empowerment Project

Inara foundation gave back to the community by providing training for women in fish farming and animal fattening. All trainees were given livestock and fingerlings, feed and equipment to start up a small business.

This move is aimed to empower women in rural areas and provide them with the resources and knowledge they need to start a sustainable business. Inara aims to do more of this in the future. Women are the backbone of our society and so the Inara foundation always seeks ways to empower women and provide them with the relevant skills they need to succeed.

Signing of an MOU with NICERT for the iProduce project

NICERT is a leading and globally reputed consulting & certification agency accredited to provide third-party conformity assessment and certification services. Under the MOU agreement, Nicert will provide iProduce members with advisory, training, inspection, audit and certification services in accordance with Ecocert procedures.

Nicert Limited is a product of research into the failure of a key Nigerian product to access the international market and the consequent stagnation and depreciation of the sector. That research, conducted at the behest of the Niger State Government in 2018, revealed that generally Nigerian Agricultural products are unable to access the lucrative international markets because they are not submitted to conformity assessment and certification of compliance with applicable international legal and commercial standards. Obtaining an Ecocert certification allows you to highlight your environmentally friendly and socially conscious practices, and to establish a bond of trust with your stakeholders.

FG Creates $1bn Syndicated Loan, partners with INARA

This article was originally posted on Aug 9, 2021 by Channel Network Afrique.

The Federal Government says it has concluded a landmark one billion United States dollars syndicated term loan through the Bank of Industry for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the country. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Richard Adebayo who made this known in Abuja at the official launching of the iProduce Agribusiness Hub an initiative of INARA Foundation said the loan in accordance with the provision of the revised MEMEs policy will drive growth and competitiveness of businesses.

He said the innovation by INARA Foundation is what Nigeria’s agri-business space needs as agriculture is not just an industry or sector that provides employment, it is a way of life and the backbone of many cultures around the world. Adding that a platform like I-Produce will go a long way in ensuring that professionals derive maximum income from their businesses as government is committed to supporting young entrepreneurs in their small businesses .

The founder of INARA Foundation, Aisha Waziri while presenting the iProduce Agribusiness Hub to the public spoke on her motivating factor. Some participants spoke on the significance of the initiative. The theme of the launch is, Leverage Digital Platforms to Create Income Generation Opportunities for Youth in Nigeria’s Agricultural Sector.

Here is a link to the original article – https://bit.ly/2X3u5G4

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