MARKET DEVELOPMENT
Understanding the Transformation Agenda in Agriculture Sector
Understanding the Transformation Agenda in Agriculture Sector
02/02/2015 (THISDAY Live) - With the stark reality that Nigeria’s oil deposits will in the near future dry up staring coldly at the nation, no one was surprised that President Goodluck Jonathan prioritised agriculture since the inception of his administration. I belonged to the group of people, who doubted the workability of the move, given that past administrations had displayed so much lip service in that regard.
Called the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, the goal was to add extra 20 million metric tons of food to Nigeria’s domestic food supply by 2015; there was absolutely nothing on ground to convince me that the vision would be realistic. Four years after that road map commenced, those of us who dismissed the presidential pledge, have been so amazed by the startling discoveries we made in that regard.
Saying that the progress in this sector has been remarkable, is to say the least. Even at the risk of making extreme exaggeration, no administration in the history of this country has given so much attention to agriculture since 1970. The innovative electronic wallet system has empowered 10 million farmers with access to subsidized high quality seeds and fertilizers.
Nigeria is the first country in Africa to launch this system that has now assured greater transparency and better productivity in the sector. Within this same period, Nigerian farmers have produced over 17 million metric tons of food. Steadily on this path, there are expectations that the 2015 target of 20 million metric tons of food, may be surpassed by the end of this year.
Agreed, naysayers may still disagree with these results that abound, the facts about this product of better policy implementation will remain sacred. Now with better policy articulation and enhanced technology, farmers, small and large, are all being touched by the new drive for food production across the country.
This commitment to reduce our food importation bill to the barest minimum, resulted in the focus on rice production. Given that rice is a common staple food for all families, a breakthrough in that area could pass for sounding a mortal blow on hunger. And that has remarkably come to pass following the decisive policy actions of the present administration.
Another move which many have agreed would relaunch the country into the committee of agriculturally developed nations, is the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with small scale farmers associations in 2012 on oil palm plantation to ensure increase in Nigeria’s oil palm production.
The aim of this, checks indicated, is to support the production of about 240,000 hectares of oil palm in the next three years by small local farmers. It is believed that this would provide a balance that would assuage the hunger of the rich and find respite for the affluent.
Restating government’s determination at ensuring food security recently in Kebbi State, Dr. Adesina said the Federal Government found it imperative to primarily target food security, reduce expenditure of foreign exchange on food imports, diversify the economy, generate foreign exchange and create jobs.
“Mr President approved the Agricultural Transformation Agenda. The goal of that agenda is to add 20 million metric tonnes of food to our domestic food supply by 2015. We have picked rice and by the grace of God, we will be self-sufficient in rice by 2015. To drive that, the Federal Government is working very closely with the state governments,” he stated.
Already, there is collaboration with state governments to actualise the stoppage of rice importation. The agreement is being implemented particularly by Niger State.
The gesture by the state confirms the government’s commitment towards building Niger Beyond Oil (apologies to Delta State government).
The state has reportedly acquired over 100,000 hectares of land, engaged over 50,000 rice farmers across the 25 local government areas aimed at achieving not only rice-sufficiency for local consumption, but to feed the sub-region.
Called the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, the goal was to add extra 20 million metric tons of food to Nigeria’s domestic food supply by 2015; there was absolutely nothing on ground to convince me that the vision would be realistic. Four years after that road map commenced, those of us who dismissed the presidential pledge, have been so amazed by the startling discoveries we made in that regard.
Saying that the progress in this sector has been remarkable, is to say the least. Even at the risk of making extreme exaggeration, no administration in the history of this country has given so much attention to agriculture since 1970. The innovative electronic wallet system has empowered 10 million farmers with access to subsidized high quality seeds and fertilizers.
Nigeria is the first country in Africa to launch this system that has now assured greater transparency and better productivity in the sector. Within this same period, Nigerian farmers have produced over 17 million metric tons of food. Steadily on this path, there are expectations that the 2015 target of 20 million metric tons of food, may be surpassed by the end of this year.
Agreed, naysayers may still disagree with these results that abound, the facts about this product of better policy implementation will remain sacred. Now with better policy articulation and enhanced technology, farmers, small and large, are all being touched by the new drive for food production across the country.
This commitment to reduce our food importation bill to the barest minimum, resulted in the focus on rice production. Given that rice is a common staple food for all families, a breakthrough in that area could pass for sounding a mortal blow on hunger. And that has remarkably come to pass following the decisive policy actions of the present administration.
Another move which many have agreed would relaunch the country into the committee of agriculturally developed nations, is the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with small scale farmers associations in 2012 on oil palm plantation to ensure increase in Nigeria’s oil palm production.
The aim of this, checks indicated, is to support the production of about 240,000 hectares of oil palm in the next three years by small local farmers. It is believed that this would provide a balance that would assuage the hunger of the rich and find respite for the affluent.
Restating government’s determination at ensuring food security recently in Kebbi State, Dr. Adesina said the Federal Government found it imperative to primarily target food security, reduce expenditure of foreign exchange on food imports, diversify the economy, generate foreign exchange and create jobs.
“Mr President approved the Agricultural Transformation Agenda. The goal of that agenda is to add 20 million metric tonnes of food to our domestic food supply by 2015. We have picked rice and by the grace of God, we will be self-sufficient in rice by 2015. To drive that, the Federal Government is working very closely with the state governments,” he stated.
Already, there is collaboration with state governments to actualise the stoppage of rice importation. The agreement is being implemented particularly by Niger State.
The gesture by the state confirms the government’s commitment towards building Niger Beyond Oil (apologies to Delta State government).
The state has reportedly acquired over 100,000 hectares of land, engaged over 50,000 rice farmers across the 25 local government areas aimed at achieving not only rice-sufficiency for local consumption, but to feed the sub-region.