The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has said that importation of major food like rice, wheat and sugar was an embarrassment to the nation.
Adesina who spoke yesterday at a retreat in Minna, Niger state, stated that it was more embarrassing that the nation’s spent as much as N1.3trillion for importation of food annually
The minister declared that the agricultural sector was a disaster and a nightmare to an economy like that of Nigeria saying that the importation of major like rice, wheat and sugar at the whooping sum of N1.3 trillion was counter productive.
He said that it was unfortunate that Nigeria was rated as the second largest importer of rice in the world insisting that it has posed danger to the national security of the nation if the nation could not? produce a enough food to feed herself.
He posited that agriculture was the most reliable sector to create jobs and wealth for the people, but wondered why the sector was neglected over the years thereby increasing poverty, hunger and unemployment in the country.
He therefore said that to regain the lost glory in the sector, the federal government has initiated a transformation action plan aimed at revamping the sector.
As part of the measures, the minister said that government would no longer be involved in the distribution or subsidising? of fertilizer product because the system has become corrupt and the easiest way for middlemen to make money at the expense of the poor farmers who needed the product.
Similarly, he said a loan facility of N30 billion? has? been planned for farmers to procure high yield seeds at 7 per cent? interest, while saying that the ministry has begun national survey of farmers to create electronic wallets for the loan.
Also the governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, urged all Nigerians to give maximum support to President Goodluck Jonathan in ensuring the success of his transformation agenda for the country and appealed? for the revamping the moribund Badeggi rice mill around Bida area of the state.