Post by Trade facilitator on Jul 6, 2012 3:35:40 GMT 1
FG inaugurates Agric Commodities’ Associations, as stakeholders want non-oil exports prioritized
As part of efforts to further diversify the Nigerian economy in order to scale up its revenue sources, the Federal Government has inaugurated three agricultural commodities’ associations. They are the National Shea Association of Nigeria (NASPAN), Kolanuts/ Bitter Kola Association of Marketers and Exporters of Nigeria and Castor Growers Processors & Marketers Association of Nigeria.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday (26th June, 2012) the Minister of state for Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom pledged the support of government to boost the processing and exportation of their products to enhance the presence of indigenous produce in the international market.
Ortom, stressed the need for the development of agro-commodities to harness the country’s potential in agriculture. According to him, policies that facilitate the development of agro-commodities would form the bedrock for the nation’s industrial growth.
The Minister further emphasized the imperative for Nigeria to remain relevant in global commodity trade with emphasis on diversification considering the country’s available vast land and growing population.
Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Audu Ogbeh, a known castro grower lamented the $20 billion spent annually in the importation of agricultural products which he said, is the major cause of unemployment in the country.
“$20 billion is being spent every year to import the agricultural products that can be produced here at cheaper cost if we encourage our farmers and give them the enabling environment and yet, we complain about unemployment”, Ogbeh said.
“Policy makers have to constantly meet with farmers to know what their problems are; they have to meet with them periodically to find out if their policies have succeeded or not.
Chief Ogbeh, who said he had been in farming since the age of 4, welcomed the inauguration of the three associations, adding that the future of the country depends on these kinds of associations.
He listed Brazil, India and China among the top producers of castor, which Nigeria spends 1.5 billion naira annually to import.
Also speaking at the event, a key stakeholder, Mrs. Heather Akanni, the Managing Director and
Chief Executive, Vertical Inspirations Ltd and Concept Creator, Development of Africa’s Indigenous Stimulants Industry, noted that “prioritizing the production and export of non-oil and gas products, amongst which are these our naturally-given indigenous crops is contributing to our Transformation Agenda and improving on the GDP-Gross Domestic Products of Nigeria”.
According to her, these and many other strategic reasons necessitated the establishment of the International Conference on Africa’s Indigenous Stimulants (ICAIS) by the Private Sector, the first of which, was held close to a year in Abuja.
Source: fmi.gov.ng/fg-inaugurates-agric-commodities-associations-as-stakeholders-want-non-oil-exports-prioritized/
As part of efforts to further diversify the Nigerian economy in order to scale up its revenue sources, the Federal Government has inaugurated three agricultural commodities’ associations. They are the National Shea Association of Nigeria (NASPAN), Kolanuts/ Bitter Kola Association of Marketers and Exporters of Nigeria and Castor Growers Processors & Marketers Association of Nigeria.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday (26th June, 2012) the Minister of state for Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom pledged the support of government to boost the processing and exportation of their products to enhance the presence of indigenous produce in the international market.
Ortom, stressed the need for the development of agro-commodities to harness the country’s potential in agriculture. According to him, policies that facilitate the development of agro-commodities would form the bedrock for the nation’s industrial growth.
The Minister further emphasized the imperative for Nigeria to remain relevant in global commodity trade with emphasis on diversification considering the country’s available vast land and growing population.
Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Audu Ogbeh, a known castro grower lamented the $20 billion spent annually in the importation of agricultural products which he said, is the major cause of unemployment in the country.
“$20 billion is being spent every year to import the agricultural products that can be produced here at cheaper cost if we encourage our farmers and give them the enabling environment and yet, we complain about unemployment”, Ogbeh said.
“Policy makers have to constantly meet with farmers to know what their problems are; they have to meet with them periodically to find out if their policies have succeeded or not.
Chief Ogbeh, who said he had been in farming since the age of 4, welcomed the inauguration of the three associations, adding that the future of the country depends on these kinds of associations.
He listed Brazil, India and China among the top producers of castor, which Nigeria spends 1.5 billion naira annually to import.
Also speaking at the event, a key stakeholder, Mrs. Heather Akanni, the Managing Director and
Chief Executive, Vertical Inspirations Ltd and Concept Creator, Development of Africa’s Indigenous Stimulants Industry, noted that “prioritizing the production and export of non-oil and gas products, amongst which are these our naturally-given indigenous crops is contributing to our Transformation Agenda and improving on the GDP-Gross Domestic Products of Nigeria”.
According to her, these and many other strategic reasons necessitated the establishment of the International Conference on Africa’s Indigenous Stimulants (ICAIS) by the Private Sector, the first of which, was held close to a year in Abuja.
Source: fmi.gov.ng/fg-inaugurates-agric-commodities-associations-as-stakeholders-want-non-oil-exports-prioritized/