The Federal Government has announced its intention to utilize its bioeconomy policy to drive inclusive economic growth, wealth creation, employment generation, and sustainable poverty reduction in the country.
Prof. Nebeolisa Anako, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning (FMFBNP), made this statement in Keffi’s local government area of Nasarawa state on Tuesday.
Anako, represented by Dr Lanre Adekanye, the Director of the International Cooperation Department, FMFBNP (Budget and National Planning Arm), spoke at a North Central Regional Awareness and Sensitization Workshop on Bioeconomy, Employment, and Inclusive Growth Using the Cassava-Bioethanol Value Chain Development Programme Pilot.
The theme of the workshop is “Knowledge Transfer: Cassava and Bio-Ethanol Value Chain.”
According to Anako, one of the Federal Government’s aspirations is to achieve higher Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and significantly reduce unemployment by creating meaningful opportunities for the youth in the country, with Bioeconomy as a viable option to achieve this.
He explained that the Bioeconomy Policy aims to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development by creating a bio-based economy that contributes to job creation, poverty reduction, and increased access to food and energy.
“At this time, the country needs an approach that will increase food production, youth employment, and overall growth through the provision of industrial feedstock and exportable products to boost our economy. One strategic pathway to achieve this is to develop the Cassava Bio-ethanol Value Chain.
“I would like to thank stakeholders from relevant Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) for their collaboration and enduring partnership thus far in developing the Bioeconomy Policy, which is a Ministerial deliverable captured in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021 – 2025,” he said.
Anako emphasized the need for an approach that increases food production, youth employment, and overall growth to address the rising food insecurity in the country. He highlighted the importance of developing the Cassava Bio-ethanol Value Chain, especially in light of the recent removal of subsidies on petroleum products and the re-evaluation of the Naira through the merging of official and non-official exchange windows.
“The development of the bioeconomy value chain is a veritable pathway to mitigate the economic impacts on citizens and ensure sustained development,” he stated.
Prof. Suleiman Bala-Mohammed, the Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), commended the workshop and its theme, stating that it reflected the pressing need to harness the power of the Bioeconomy, particularly in the context of the North Central Region.
“North Central Nigeria has a rich agricultural heritage, and cassava stands as one of the most vital and versatile crops. It is crucial that we capitalize on these resources to unlock economic opportunities, create jobs, and foster inclusive growth.
“The cassava-bioethanol value chain holds tremendous promise in this regard, as it integrates various sectors from agriculture to energy and entrepreneurship,” he said.
In an interview with journalists, Prof. Ken Ife, the Managing Director of Biosources and Technologies Limited and the Keynote Speaker at the workshop described Bioeconomy as the knowledge-based production and use of molecular biology from plant and animal sources and processes to create a wide range of products across all sectors of the economy.
He stated that the immense potential of cassava made it a natural choice to initiate the implementation of the Bioeconomy policy in partnership with academia, research and development institutes, farmers, the private sector, government MDAs, civil society, development partners, and development finance institutions.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Makinde: Son of church warden who builds mosques
The mosque is the heart of the Islamic life. It is the place where the Almighty Allah (SWT) is communally worshipped and…
Why we refused to fix federal roads in Edo – Philip Shaibu
Edo State Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu on Friday explained that the state government was ready to…
Revealed: Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham’s silent media war over supremacy, influence
There is a quiet social media war currently pitching Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham against each other over…
Subsidy removal as elite banditry, reverse robin hoodism
I really wanted to stop talking about subsidy removal for two reasons. One, senseless, right-wing, anti-people economic populism has…
[EXCLUSIVE] Ministerial list: Serving senators, ex-bank CEO, others make first batch
The list, according to top sources in power corridors, is the first batch and will be sent to the Senate this…
See why Italian FA slammed Roma’s Mourinho with 10-day suspension
Roma manager Jose Mourinho has been issued a 10-day suspension by the Italian Football Association (FIGC) as…
"the suspect allegedly exploited this false identity to promote a fictitious Police recruitment exercise, fraudulently…
To measure and ensure compliance with the directive in the FCT, an NHIA Assessment/ Enforcement…
"Justice Paul Apollos was not only an accomplished legal mind but also a close friend…
“This document represents our promise to carry along the interests of our people and to…
He specifically charged the traditional rulers of the three towns to give peace a chance…
"Ogun State is promoting Cassava, Rice, Cocoa, Oil Palm and Timber while nine Local Government…
This website uses cookies.