Elumelu, FG, others sign MOU on National Warehouse Project for Farmers

African Exchange Holdings (AFEX), a pan-African holding company founded by Tony O. Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Nicolas Berggruen, Chairman of Berggruen Holdings, and Jendayi Frazer, President of 50 Ventures, to establish commodity exchanges across Africa, yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to create a pioneering warehouse receipt system that will enable Nigerian farmers and cooperatives to safely store their produce at accredited warehouses.

With this arrangement, Nigerian farmers will now use receipts for their produce as collateral for loans. This will control price volatility due to the availability of buffer stock, enabling farmers to sell produce at better price points.

The two-year pilot phase of the warehouse receipt system covers seven states, mostly in northern Nigeria, where agriculture is by far the largest economic sector – Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Kwara, Gombe and Oyo, and will commence in October 2013.

According to the African Press Organization in a statement sent to our correspondent, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture will support the warehouse receipt system by creating the enabling environment that is essential for its successful delivery, and will also provide warehouse infrastructure.

Elumelu, the Chairman of AFEX Holdings, said at the signing in Abuja that: “We are pleased to be working with the Nigerian government on this project to deliver transformative, sustainable investment to the country’s agribusiness sector.

This initiative is a step towards financially empowering more farmers and ensuring that agriculture is not only commercially viable, but a strong positive contributor to the Nigerian economy.

This builds on the experience and success of our subsidiary – East Africa Exchange – in Rwanda which has become a critical player in agribusiness development across the continent.”

He continued: “My partners and I are greatly encouraged by the transformation of Nigeria's agriculture sector as driven by Dr Adesina and we want to support the federal government in its innovative approach.”

In his reactions, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture, said, “Strengthening agricultural markets is critical to diversifying Nigeria's economy.

Our partnership with AFEX will help to improve the access of farmers to markets, reduce post-harvest losses, stabilize prices and raise their incomes.

We are rapidly modernizing agriculture in Nigeria and the development of warehouse receipt systems will underpin the successful establishment of thriving agricultural commodities exchanges in Nigeria.”

Also, Mr. Nicolas Berggruen, the founder and president of Berggruen Holdings, said, “Agriculture in Africa is key to the prosperity of the continent. Specifically for Nigeria, we are investing in the infrastructure needed to ensure the flow of commodities from farms to the local, regional, and global marketplace.”

Jendayi Frazer, the former US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, who is the Managing Partner at AFEX, stated, “The warehouse receipt system will help improve food security across Nigeria.

It will not only give farmers and cooperatives better access to markets by linking their market produce to high-value buyers, but will also deliver higher profits for stakeholders.

AFEX believes our electronic warehouse receipt system and improved warehousing operations will be the stepping stone to establishing a vibrant commodities exchange in Nigeria.”

Africa Exchange Holdings (AFEX) is a holding company co-founded by Heirs Holdings, Berggruen Holdings and 50 Ventures, in partnership with The Tony Elumelu Foundation and the Berggruen Institute on Governance. Its objective is to develop a network of commodity exchanges across Africa to transform trade dynamics and ensure higher incomes for farmers.

Source : #‎Leadership