ibironkeeniola Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has identified Green Imperative as the ‘next level’ agenda for Nigeria’s agriculture.
The VP disclosed in Lagos at 4th National discourse of ‘The Companion’, themed“Food Security: Unleashing Nigeria’s Natural Potential for Self Sufficiency.”
Prof Osinbajo noted that Nigeria is the 9th largest in the world in terms of arable land and it is becoming visible that the whole world is looking to Africa and Nigeria in particular, for food and nutrition.
He indicated that China has been placing so much demand on many of Nigeria’s agricultural produce like soybean, sesame seed and cassava chips, which he said have not been able to meet local needs, let alone export demands.
While noting that the demand for agricultural produce is high, Prof Osinbajo said that in the livestock industry, about 120,000 carcasses of goat meat are required every week in several Arab countries. He also pointed out that there are tremendous opportunities available for investments and exports in the agricultural value chains.
According to him, “Nigeria is still far from the target of self-sufficiency in food production because there is a huge gap between where we are and where we should be.”
The VP identified the conflicts in the North-East, North-West and farmers-herders clash as some of the challenges daunting self-sufficiency in agriculture, adding that these challenges are meant to be resolved, with better inputs, technology, improved seeds and farming methods.
In his words, “we are at the best time in history to achieve the objectives of self sufficiency.”
Prof Osinbajo further disclosed that 109 food process service centers will be situated across 109 senatorial districts in Nigeria, in a bid to serve as points where values can be added to agricultural products.
SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA