The Federal Government is to collaborate with State Governments and other stakeholders towards improving value chain in the agriculture sector.This is contained in a statement issued by Ezeaja Ikemefuna, Chief Information Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Tuesday in Abuja.
Ikemefuna said the Permanent Secretary, of the ministry, Dr Ernest Umakhihe made this known at the 45th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development (NCARD) on Tuesday in Plateau.
Umakhihe said this would enhanced the livelihood of the smallholder farmers as well as modify the commodity value chain development processes.
The theme of the meeting is ” Strengthening Agricultural Value Chains Development Process for Food Security and Economic Development”.
The permanent secretary was represented by the Director, Department of Agriculture Land and Climate Change Management Services, Mr Shehu Bello.
He said that the agricultural commodity value chain development as a corner stone and strategic implementation imperatives requires a robust discussion and deliberate decisions on intervention models.
” The foundation to achieve the desired success is the commitment to the provision of incentives , increase the output and quality of agricultural commodities to meet and surpass national requirements.
“We can achieve a diversified economic base with Agriculture leading the way for the non-oil sectors of the economy,” he said.
Umakhihe said that the Ministry through the launch of National Agricultural Technology Innovation Plan 2022 to 2027 (NATIP) has demonstrated commitment of the sector to address all conceivable challenges besetting the sector.
He said the focus is on strengthening and developing agricultural value chain.
” The impact has been enormous as it contributes to food security, increases productivity and efficiency, engenders diversification, and generates higher incomes.
” Also reduces post-harvest losses as well as generates employment opportunities,” he said.
Umakhihe said that the ministry would prioritised its efforts of increasing agricultural processing capacity in the country through the establishment of several cottage industries for the production of staple food products.
He said that it would ensure a steady off-take of produce from out-growers, enhance the income of farmers and entrepreneurs across all commodity value chains.
The Plateau Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Hosea Finangwai, appealed that the memorandum for the upgrade of the Potato Station at Karu be given priority on its merit.
