PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has promised to ensure increase in food production in the country by 20 million metric tons before 2O14.
According to him, this would be made possible through implementation of the agricultural value chains in rice, cassava, cocoa and cotton production. Other crops in the list asre oil palm, maize, soya bean, livestock, aquaculture and other staple foods.
President Jonathan spoke at the opening ceremony of the National Agricultural Show held in Karu, Nasarawa State.
The president who was represented by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Bukar Tijani said government cannot afford to continue with the importation of foods and would rather utilise local resources to ensure self sufficiency in food production.
His words: "Nigeria will add 20 million metric tons of foods to its present status through the establishment and pursuance of value chains in the following commodities: Rice, which Mr. President has committed that within four years, we must not import into Nigeria but we should produce our own rice and cassava, which the President has said Nigeria is the highest producer. Others are Cocoa, Cotton, Oil palm, Maize and Soya Bean. He also directed expansion on existing production of livestock and aquaculture. This will be in addition to the main staple crops and other existing produce that we have in Nigeria."
On inadequate capital base for farmers, the president said single digit credit would be offered to them through direct budgeting and N450 million loan which was provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria to support the Nigerian farmers.
Jonathan restated government's resolve to embark on private partnerships in order to drive the agriculture sector as being practised in other developed countries of the world, adding that fertilizer procurement and distributions would be executed by farmer groups and private sectors.
He promised that government would support farmers with 1 million metric tons of fertilizers from 2012. This, according to him, would be provided through Gross Enhancement Support Scheme whereby farmers and suppliers of fertilizers would negotiate under a National Fertilizer Biometric System.
"It would reach 5 million farmers as against 500,000 farmers. The private sector and local fertilizer distributors would be supported with various incentives so that problem of inadequate fertilizers will be a thing of the past," the president said.
While commending the Nasarawa State government for providing a
permanent site for the agriculture exhibition show, President Jonathan said government is committed to ensuring Nigeria achieve its vision 20:2020.
He promised to transform the agriculture sector from its subsistence level to commercial level so that the nation can be self sufficient in food production.
In his remarks, President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Alhaji Adamu Abdulahi urged the Federal Government to end overdependence on oil exports and revive the agriculture sector.
He advised government to assist farmers, particularly on the issue of private partnership approach on the distribution of fertilizers.
Abdullahi stressed that private firms are usually profit-oriented and if not properly monitored, the policy may not realise its purpose.
The Guardian
l hold the president's words would amount to gain saying. Food production is necessary for sustainability of the economy.