By Samuel
As crude oil continues to experience a steep decline, it is time for agriculture to be given its pride of place in Nigeria’s economy, Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono has said.
According to Nanono, crude oil can no longer sustain the nation, and as such agriculture should be given more priority in the country’s affairs.
The minister gave this charge recently at a one-day workshop organised for maize growers and processors by the Maize Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (MAGPMAN), in Owerri, Imo State.
The workshop was themed “Post-Harvest Management of Maize Stakeholders Conference- under the CBN Maize Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP)”.
While stressing the need for Nigerians to prioritise agriculture over crude oil, Nanono said that the ministry was working assiduously to boost farmers’ productivity.
Nanono who was represented by the State Director in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Mr Chris Iwuchukwu, disclosed that maize would soon become “self-sustaining and available for export”.
He assured that the Federal Government was making efforts to boost the agriculture sector and incorporate the youths in modernised farming.
The minister said, “Crude oil is failing the country, so we need to give agriculture its prime place in the country. Since 2011 till date, the Federal Government has been doing its necessary best to boost agriculture.
“There is a need to make agriculture have a face by making the rural community comfortable for the youth to farm.
“South-East and South-South need to begin to export maize. There is a need for the farmers to manage the crop well in order not to suffer losses”.
On his part, the National President of MAGPMAN, Dr Edwin Uche, said that agriculture with the help of technology will boost the economy and improve the livelihoods of the citizens.
He added that a lot of opportunities abound in the maize industry and all should be given to support the sub-sector.