Minister defends Nigeria agric policy in Rome

The Federal Government’s Agricultural Promotion Policy (APP) (2016-2020) otherwise called The Green Alternative will unlock the country’s huge agricultural potentials and guarantee food security.

This was the submission of the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri who headed a delegation to the 40th Session of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), which ended weekend at its headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Lokpobiri said the policy will provide a disciplined approach to building resilient agribusiness ecosystem that will solve the core issues at the heart of limited food production, ensure delivery of quality standard and tackle lack of funding for farmers.

He emphasized that Nigeria has huge agricultural potentials and drive to guarantee food security, generate massive employment, increase wealth for farmers, and transform the livelihood of teeming rural communities.

Lokpobiri solicited the support of IFAD and other development partners to assist Nigeria to achieve the set goals of the Agricultural Promotion Policy (2016-2020): The Green Alternative.

He also commended the feat of the outgoing President of IFAD, Nigerian- born Dr Kanayo. F. Nwanze for the way he piloted the affairs of IFAD in the last eight years.