United States advocates prioritizing investments in agriculture for Nigeria to Address food crisis
The Federal Government has received a call from the United States to give priority to agricultural investments in order to address the ongoing food crisis and hunger affecting the country. David Greene, the US Charge d’Affaires in Nigeria, emphasized that tapping into the abundant agricultural potential is essential for enhancing food security and expediting Nigeria's socio-economic development, including the creation of job opportunities.
Speaking on Wednesday at Ipao Ekiti, in the Ikole Council area of Ekiti State, during a visit to the 15,000-hectare Agbeyewa Farms by the US Embassy, Greene urged Nigeria to make use of its abundant arable lands, fertile soil, and favorable weather conditions to address the food needs of the population and explore export opportunities.
He encouraged both federal and state governments to draw inspiration from the success of Agbeyewa Farms, which has effectively harnessed the economic potential of large-scale agriculture. Greene emphasized, "We are cognizant of the food security challenge and post-harvest losses in Nigeria. With investments and leadership like this, I believe the lives of many Nigerians can experience positive transformation."
"We are well aware of the tremendous potential in the agricultural sector of Nigeria. While I cannot specify our exact future actions, the US is committed to making significant contributions. We have invested in projects such as Ikun Dairy Farms and cocoa production in Ekiti, among others.
"USAID envisions a promising future and is providing substantial support to Nigerian producers through collaborations with donors, including the World Bank and others. Given the economic innovation observed here, it is imperative that we collaborate with the people of Nigeria to bring about mutual benefits," he stated.
Mr. John Olajide, the Chairman of Cavista Holdings, emphasized that the substantial investment in agribusiness, amounting to millions of naira, aims to guarantee a sufficient food supply, enhance nutrition, generate employment, and promote community development.
Olajide outlined that the agro-allied farm's focus crops include cassava, maize, and yam, among others. He indicated plans to initiate the cassava revolution project in collaboration with the Ekiti State Government. The project aims to meet the growing demand for cassava chips in the export market and reduce post-harvest losses by at least 60 percent.
He explained, "Agbeyewa Farm is designed to add value and bring about transformative changes in lives. Our investment in Ekiti State is primarily geared towards job creation and providing opportunities for numerous individuals.
"We are conducting experiments with cassava to assist farmers in enhancing their yields. We have distributed seedlings to farmers to improve their livelihoods and have integrated them into our outgrowers program, enabling them to cultivate up to 10 hectares and achieve better yields."
"One critical challenge faced by farmers is the difficulty in accessing the market. We are in the initial phase of the cassava revolution project, collaborating with the state government, with the aim of cultivating a minimum of 100 hectares of cassava in the state.
"This initiative is targeted at cutting down post-harvest losses by over 60 percent. Our ultimate objective is to eradicate post-harvest losses, enabling Ekiti farmers to generate wealth through farming," he concluded.
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