FG Commits To Use Agriculture For Food Security, Employment Opportunities For Nigerians

The Federal Government through the Director, Department of Agriculture and Extension Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Alphonsus Onwuemeka has reiterated its commitment to use agriculture to ensure food security and provide more employment opportunities for Nigerians.

Speaking at the weekend during a  training organized for Agricultural Extension Officers at head office of Ekiti State Agricultural Development Programme in Ikole-Ekiti, Onwuemeka said the Ministry in pursuit of the  Muhammadu Buhari administration’s vision sought to engage competent consultants to boost the capacity of agricultural extension workers to train farmers in selected agricultural value chains.

He pointed out that the Federal Government was working towards using agriculture to generate export and support sustainable income and job growth.

According to him, Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava which is handled only by small farmers in southern, central and lately northern Nigeria, regretting that the country still imports starch, flour and sweeteners that can be made from cassava.

In his remarks, the Acting Programme Manager of Ekiti State Agricultural Development Programme, Mr. Oladele Yakubu, said Nigeria was presently facing shortages in staple crops because of dependence on imported food.