In an age where things happen at break-neck speed, it will not come as a surprise that many a Nigerian would already have forgotten about the announcement last week that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved ₦13billion for the establishment of 10 integrated rice mills as well as 6 cassava processing mills across the country.

At AgroNigeria such can hardly be forgettable, for the singular reason that this action was unarguably the culmination of a string of sectoral happenings having far reaching implications. For one, it demonstrated the present administration’s high sensitivity to the needs and aspirations of Nigerian agricultural stakeholders as a whole and the primary producers – farmers – in particular.

The decision is based on good logic. Improved seeds and precise delivery of other inputs have resulted in considerable increase in farm productivity which, with particular reference to rice, had almost become a curse. Farmers in Kogi, Nassarawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi and Gombe have been looking at their harvests with trepidation. Although Nigeria had outdone the gainsayers’ expectation that she would fail to meet her local rice consumption needs, she ran the risk of re-enacting the past when government lured farmers into production and abandoned them afterwards. To the credit of this government, as aptly demonstrated by the measure so undertaken to bolster processing, it has chosen to act differently. Put simply; it has broken the jinx – by being bullish about the needs of farmers. Without a doubt, these are interesting times for agricultural stakeholders as their needs, not those of vested interests, now drive policy.

It will hardly make any sense not to give credit to the man superintending over it all. Like Adesina is quick to emphasize, the unparalleled support and goodwill handed down by the President has powered the change we see today. In his typical unassuming manner, the President has kept faith with the Minister, doling out the political capital necessary to get the job done. Little wonder that frustration has attended those whose ...

Find the concluding part on: http://agronigeria.com.ng/2014/09/16/farmers-cabinet/

Great write-up
Agriculture is the future of the country.
Do agric....create wealth