As Nigeria makes move to reposition the agricultural sector towards achieving self-sufficiency in food production and attract investors in the sector, a stakeholder in the agricultural sector, Dr Abiso Kabir has advocated for favourable policies to drive export.
Dr Kabir, who made this known on Monday in Abuja while speaking with journalists, said the inability to export most produce from Nigeria has been attributed to the inability of farmers to meet relevant international requirements on the health of plants that are meant for export, a development that is impeding foreign trade between Nigeria and other countries.
The expert, who is also the Managing Director of Wal-wanne Group, explained that the challenges in the sector are daunting and one of such is the inability of farmers to efficiently export some of their produce.
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“We are the largest yam growing nation, yet we export none, Ghana is taking the lead now in yam export,” he said.
He noted that there was a need to export agricultural products to help improve the standard of living of the people.
“The need to get everybody in agriculture has been one of the cardinal points of the Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) of the Federal Government with emphasis on developing and export-led economy.”
According to him, “it is not only crude oil that keeps the Nigerian economy growing, we need to increase our export to generate more revenue and balance our trade.
“The agricultural sector that gives rise to various products is also the base of the Nigerian economy.
“With the new mechanisation in agriculture, we have increased output. Some of our products are exportable and there are of high demand, our products are highly nutritional.”
Dr Kabir, who also said Wal-wanne rice produces 120 tons of rice per day, noted they have been able to create employment opportunities to women and youths.
“We will continue to showcase agriculture to unemployed youths as an enterprise and the imperative of returning to the farm to guarantee wealth creation and food security”, he added.
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