FG to Encourage Production of Crops for Exports

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Audu Ogbeh has disclosed that the federal government would continue to encourage the production of some crops for export.

Ogbeh said the measure was in line with the government’s efforts to diversify the economy for Sustainable development.

Speaking in Kano on Tuesday at a North-West Business Summit and Exhibition organised by Daily Trust in collaboration with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Ogbeh, represented by the Managing Director, Bank of Agriculture, Professor Danbala Danju, said: “We will prioritise for export markets, the production of the following crops and activities:

The crops include cowpeas, cocoa, cashew, cassava, ginger, sesame, oil palm, yams fruits and vegetables as well as beef and cotton.

He said the ministry would also work with investors, farmers, processors and other stakeholders to deepen the supporting infrastructure to ensure that quality are defined and maintain across the value chain.
According to him, the ministry will ensure that farmers and investors are operating in a market that is safe, competitive, and capable of enabling wealth creation in the country.

“The ministry is engaging many stakeholders, including the Nigerian Agribusiness Group (NABG), being led by a Kano state indigene, Alhaji Sani Dangote, to facilitate trade and investment, ”he said.

Ogbeh said the government would continue to support value chains through adequate provision of specialised fertilizers and protection chemicals as well as high yielding seeds to boost food production.
The summit, which has its theme: Unlocking the Agriculture and Solid Minerals Potential of the Zone, was attended by various stakeholders from across the North West geo-political zone.

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