Agric Sector Must Shift From Feeding to wealth creation – Kyari

Spread the love

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has called for a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, emphasizing that it must go beyond feeding the population to becoming a major source of wealth creation.

Speaking at the 5th Meeting of the Lake Chad Basin Governors Forum in Maiduguri, Senator Kyari stressed the need for increased productivity through research, climate-resilient seeds, soil health improvement, and smart agriculture.

Boosting Agricultural Productivity
To enhance productivity, the Ministry has distributed over 2.1 million bags of fertilizers to farmers and provided food aid to communities affected by floods. Additionally, in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Ministry is developing a biometric-based farmer registration system to ensure targeted interventions reach the right beneficiaries efficiently and transparently.

Addressing Onion Production Crisis
Senator Kyari has also taken swift action to tackle a 40% potential shortfall in onion production, caused by the distribution of adulterated seeds. During an emergency meeting with the National Onion Producers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN), it was revealed that a NOPPMAN member was responsible for supplying the substandard seeds. The Minister commended the association for identifying the culprit and handing them over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for investigation.

Nigeria’s Position in the Global Onion Market
As the seventh-largest onion producer globally and third in Africa, Nigeria accounts for approximately 4.3% of global onion production, with 244,866 tons produced in 2020. Key onion-producing states include Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Sokoto, Plateau, Bauchi, and Kebbi. The Minister’s proactive measures are expected to further strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global onion market.

The Future of Nigerian Agriculture
With agriculture contributing 87.6% of the sector’s total output, crop production remains the dominant segment. The Minister’s initiatives, including smart agriculture, climate-resilient seeds, and soil health improvement, are set to drive significant growth, transforming the sector into a key driver of economic prosperity.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

×