According to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Alhaji Muhammed Sabo Nanono, quality infrastructure, particularly roads and transportation are imperative for Nigeria’s agricultural development.

The Honourable Minister made this statement at the just concluded Feed Nigeria Summit 2019 which held at the Ladi Kwali Conference Centre, Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja, while delivering his goodwill message tagged “Uniting to grow Nigeria’s Agro-Economy”.

In his words, improved infrastructure is an added advantage for Nigeria to positively impart other countries in the West-African sub region.

“We have hunger in some parts of West-Africa simply because we have not easily moved food from surplus to deficit areas.

Against this backdrop, he urged the African Development Bank (AfDB) to expedite the construction of an African rail system which will ultimately enhance the food supply chain in the region. “Railway for a country like ours and a region like our own is absolutely necessary for our future agricultural development” He said.

Speaking further, he underscored the many benefits of the horticulture value chain to the end goal of food security.

“I have gone out of the production of maize and rice into mangoes, oranges, bananas and guavas”, he said.

Nanono advised that for agriculture to thrive better in the nation, “we have to wake up and believe that Nigeria can attain greater heights through the collective cooperation of farmers, professionals and the political class.”

SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA