By Dipo Olowookere
The sum of N750 billion has been approved by the Federal Government to ensure food sufficiency in Nigeria in line with its diversification plan.
Speaking on Tuesday at the inauguration of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 39 with the theme, ‘Science, Technology and Innovation for the Development of Agriculture and Agro-Allied Industries in Nigeria,’ the Acting President, Mr Yemi Osinbajo, noted that the money was approved under the Agricultural Intervention Fund.
He restated the current administration’s commitment to revamping the agricultural sector through science, technology and innovation.
Mr Osinbajo, who was represented at the event which took place at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State, by the state’s Deputy Governor, Mr Sonni Tyoden, noted with sadness that only 40 percent of Nigeria’s over 84 hectares of arable land was being cultivated.
The Acting President revealed that with a 180 million population figure, the nation’s internal market was big enough to support an optimum agricultural production and provide job opportunities for the citizens.
He stressed that the era of food importation to augment shortfall was gone, adding that until recently, the country was spending over N1.3 billion yearly on the exercise.