THE Federal Government has approved the sum of N750 billion Agricultural Intervention Fund to bolster the sector towards food sufficiency and with the aim to diversify the economy.
Acting Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo disclosed this during the inauguration of Senior Executive Course (SEC) 39 with the theme “Science, Technology and Innovation for the Development of Agriculture and Agro-Allied Industries in Nigeria” at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru Plateau State.
Professor Osinbajo said the administration is committed to revamping the agricultural sector through the application of science, technology and innovation to the development of agriculture and agro-allied industries.
“Developing the agricultural sector is a clear starting point of our quest for not only the diversification of our hitherto non cultural economy away from oil, it is also the only economy to grow fast enough to absorb the huge number of people that are unemployed” he said.
The Acting President who was represented by the Plateau State Deputy Governor, Professor Sonny Tyoden stated that Nigeria has over 84 hectares of arable land adding that only 40 percent is cultivated, with over 180 million population, Nigeria internal market is big enough to support an optimum agricultural production and at the same time provide more work to the citizens.
Professor Osinbajo said the strategy of importing food to meet the shortfall food production was no longer tenable added that until recently Nigeria was spending over N1.3 billion annually on food importation.
Said he:”Given the current economy realities of our country, food importation has to be drastically reduced and eventually stopped”
In his opening remark, the acting Director General of NIPSS, Mr. Jonathan Juma said the theme of SEC 39 was not only apt, but urgent considering the fear being contemplated about possible food shortage in the country, as well as inadequate supply of agricultural raw materials to feed the nascent agro-allied industries in the country.
Said he” Human population is increasing exponentially, while climate change with attendant implication for agricultural production is steering us in the face, the option to put in place vibrant and robust science, technology innovation policy is imperative”
According to him, the adoption of STI will further turn agriculture into real business by transforming seed selection and development, farm machinery, storage facilities, genetically produced plants, animal feeds, animal breeding, transportation adding that with all these Nigeria will become a food giant meeting its domestic need and be able to support the food needs of neighboring countries through organized export.
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