Stakeholders have converge in Jos to brainstorm, strengthen agricultural value chains to ensure food security and economic development.
The brainstorming session is part of activities for the 45th Session of the National Council on Agriculture & Rural Development holding from Monday to Friday in Jos.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agricultural Rural Development, Dr Ernest Umakhihe who declared the technical session open, said that the focus of the session is on fine-tuning, developing and improving the commodity value chain development process.
Umakhihe who was represented by Mr Shehu Bello, Director Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services, said value chain approach to develop agriculture was intensified during the Agricultural Transformation (ATA) 2011-2015.
“The present administration had sustained and enhanced it via the successive frameworks of the Agricultural Promotion Policy (APP) 2016 – 20220 and the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) 2022-2027.
“The ministry through the launch of NATIP has demonstrated commitment of the sector to address all conceivable challenges besetting the sector with a focus on strengthening and developing agricultural value chain.
“The foundation to achieving the desired success is the commitment to the provision of incentives to increase the output and quality of agricultural commodities to meet and surpass national requirements.
“It is ultimately to achieve a diversified economic base with agriculture leading the way for the non-oil sectors of the economy,” he said.
He said that it contributed enormously to food security, increases productivity and efficiency, engenders diversification, generates higher incomes and reduces post-harvest losses and above all generates employment opportunities.
According to him, also improves the livelihood of smallholders’ farmers who constitutes the majority in the Nigeria agricultural sector.
“Consequently, agricultural commodity value chain development as a corner stone and a strategic implementation imperatives for the prevailing sectoral policy framework requires a robust discussion and deliberate decisions on our intervention models and the next steps for the major subsectors.
“The sectors include; crop/horticulture production, livestock/veterinary services and fisheries and aquaculture with other cut crossing issues in the Agribusiness undertakings as we commence the implementation of the policy.
“Please note that this technical session is the forerunner to the council meeting and it is dedicated to exchange of ideas on agricultural development process in the country.
“It is for setting the tone and issues for deliberation and discussions at the Council.
“I urge you all to approach the deliberations with broad mind, add value to all the issues and proffer concrete and practical suggestions that will assist Council in reaching meaningful decisions,” he added.
Plateau Commissioner for Agricultural and Natural Resources, Dr Hosea Finangwai urged the Council proffer permanent solution to potato blight, a disease ravaging Irish potatoes in the state.
Finangwai stated that the disease caused monumental financial losses to farmers in the state this year, estimated at about 500 million Naira.
“On behalf of Plateau state, I wish to plead that a memo on the request for the upgrade of the potato station at Kuru be given priority on merit.
“This request is important because the state account for 90 per cent of the production of Iris Potatoes in the country,” he appealed.
