President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja urged agencies involved in agriculture to further streamline their priorities in the inclusion of youth in driving modern methods of farming while assuring all those interested that an enabling environment will be created for full participation.
In his remark at the launch of the National Young Farmers Scheme, designed by the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) to spur more youth interest in farming, the president said agriculture remains the backbone of the Nigerian economy, being the largest contributor to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).
The president noted that his administration will do more to expand, modernize and revolutionize agriculture, which is the country’s most important asset.
President Buhari added that the resuscitation of NALDA will make Nigeria food sufficient and in a few years begin to earn more revenue from export of agricultural commodities.
The President said all the necessary approvals that NALDA requires for effective take-off, beginning with areas of adequate land preparation for crop farming and livestock rearing, had been given, charging the executive secretary/CEO of NALDA and his team to continue to live up to expectations and increase their activities in local communities.
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The senate president, Ahmed Lawan, commended the president for his steadfastness in repositioning the agricultural sector since coming to office, stressing that the country had already felt the impact of the policies of the administration.
The senate president said there was a need to encourage agricultural agencies, like NALDA, to work closely with the research institutions in Nigerian universities.
Responding, the executive secretary/CEO of NALDA, Paul Ikonne, said the discovery of oil in the country hampered the growth of agriculture and increased poverty in rural communities, assuring the President that the concerted effort to revive interest in farming will tackle poverty and create wealth.
Goodwill messages were given by a representative of the Young Farmers, Fatima Usman Musa and Denmark Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Jesper Kamp.
Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, also participated in the event.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
