Nigeria can no longer be consumer nation — FG

The federal government has said that Nigeria can no longer be a consumer nation, hence the need for citizens to key into government’s policy to check importation.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Mohammed Sabo Nanono, who spoke in Kaduna, said the policy to check importation will consequently enhance the nations’ foreign earning and create jobs for its teaming population.

Speaking at the opening of the 49th annual conference, meeting and exhibition of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers, themed; “Enhancement of Agricultural Value Chain for Economic Development: The Role of Chemical Engineering”, Nanono said the future of Nigeria lies in agriculture.

Giving the rice revolution as an example, the Minister said reports have shown that rice production peaked at 3.7 million tons in 2017 and that with appropriate agricultural practice, Nigeria is expected to hit 7.2 million tons in the next five years.

“If the country gets its agricultural policy right, it may not only feed its citizens but the entire West African countries.

“The Nigerian government is pursuing aggressive economic diversification. The recent Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) is aimed at increasing national productivity and achieving sustainable diversification of production to significantly grow the economy.

“Agriculture Promotion Policy (20162020) document otherwise known as The Green Alternative developed by my Ministry is dedicated to prioritizing private sector-led development of the value chains of crop, livestock and fisheries sub-sectors.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the significance of this agricultural value chain development cannot be over emphasized, as I call on Nigerians to key into federal government’s policy to stem importation, which will consequently enhance our foreign earning”, he said.