Atiku Plan Part 3 : We must begin to visualize a new Nigeria without crude oil!

Promoting the agricultural sector In pursuit of a policy of diversification we shall support the development of a commercially-driven, technology-proficient agriculture which ensures food security and interfaces with manufacturing sector for the supply of raw materials.

Agriculture will develop into a modern, productive and competitive venture with high job-creating and poverty reduction capacity.

We would increase agricultural output from the current level of N23.85 trillion to about N40 trillion by 2025. This would imply an annual growth in agricultural sector from 4.11% to 10% between 2019 and 2025. The major policy initiatives for improving productivity in the agricultural sector will include the following: a. b. Collaborate with the States in the design and implementation of robust and sustainable land reforms which will, among others, simplify and strengthen titling and land transfer processes with a view to encouraging commercial farming.

Accordingly, we shall strengthen the Presidential Committee on Land Reform and ensure the re-launch of the Systematic Land Titling Registration Programme across the country. Strengthen the markets for agricultural commodities through the establishment of private sector-led commodities exchanges around the major crop production regions of Nigeria.

We shall also expedite the orderly privatization of the Nigerian Commodities Exchange to boost its effectiveness. c. d. e. Increase incentives to attract private sector agribusinesses to set up processing plants in the staple crop processing zones across the country.

To this end, the Federal government will work closely with the AfDB and IBRD to revisit the SCPZ initiatives under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, ATA. Continue to improve agriculture sector's access to financial services, through NIRSAL by de-risking lending to the sector by commercial and development banks.

The overall goal is to improve the financial capacity of the farmers and other agricultural producers to adopt new technologies and increase their resilience to economic shocks. Encourage investment in agro-processing cluster by offering concessional financing, tax breaks and seed funds for upgrades or construction of access roads, embedded power plants and water/waste management systems. Improve farming productivity through modernization and mechanization of small-scale agriculture to international levels by

Tasking the FMARD to develop and disseminate (localised) guidance on best fertilizer, feedstock, etc. use. Coordinating the bulk purchase and distributed storage of (nonsubsidized) fertilizers and feedstock throughout the country.

Replacing fertilizer subsidies with cash transfers.

Support women engaged in agricultural activities by:-

- - Providing basic working capital requirements for small scale farming and traditional processes as loans to the low-income groups.

Providing facility for the procurement of machinery and equipment to help them set up and run cottage and small-scale industries. Creating employment opportunities at ward levels through the establishment of enterprises and pilot projects in the wards.