The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) to guide agribusiness development in Nigeria.
This document was inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Abubakar, in Abuja, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
NATIP is a six-year national agricultural policy strategy aimed at sustainable development of national technological and innovative capacity to fast-track import substitution.
What they are saying
The Minister stated that the document will emphasise the reduction of rice, diary and fish imports, increase resilience and digital agriculture, and also boost high potential value chains and agricultural investments.
He added that ”This is a response to the present administration agenda of diversifying the nation’s economy from petroleum oil-based to agriculture and solid minerals-driven national development strategy,” citing the ministry’s operation over the last six years had been shaped by the Agricultural Promotion Policy of 2016-2020.
”This framework facilitated an appreciable increase in agricultural production and job creation through infrastructure, research, extension, mechanisation, and value chain activities in the country.
” While the ministry sustained all various initiatives for the development of the agriculture sector, the issue of embracing technology and innovation becomes inevitable for transforming the nation’s agricultural system,” he said.
Abubakar also noted that this would empower small-scale farmers to adopt new technologies and best practices for enhanced production, and processing of agricultural commodities for local consumption and export to other countries.
The new NATIP 2022-2027 was premised on the 10 thematic areas of Stakeholders’ Synergy and Alignment, Knowledge Creation and Transfer, Rapid Mechanisation, and Agricultural Development Fund Establishment, Extension Service Delivery Revitilisation and Livestock Development, Priority Crop Value Chain Strengthening, Fisheries and Aquaculture.
“Also included Marine and Inland Fisheries Development, Market Development, and Agriculture Lands Investments Partnership,” he said.
In his goodwill message, Dr Bedru Balana, Country Programme Leader, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), said it is crucial as Nigeria continues to focus on creating jobs through agriculture for its growing youth and vulnerable population in the face of the current economic and environmental sectors, and climate shocks among others.
What you should know
- Nairametrics reported earlier this year that Nigeria imported Agric products valued at N1.97 trillion in 2021, surging by 42% year-on-year compared to N1.19 trillion recorded in the previous year. This also represents the highest amount on record spent on agricultural imports in any year.
- Nigeria’s Agriculture sector grew by 1.20% (year-on-year) in real terms for the second quarter of 2022, a decrease of 1.96% points from the preceding quarter which recorded a growth rate of 3.16% and also a decrease of 0.10% points from the corresponding period of 2021.