FG endorses new agric development road-map to diversify economy

The Federal Government has endorsed a new road-map for the diversification of the economy in the agricultural sector.

Described as a step forward in its economy diversification policy , the endorsment took place during yesterday’s Federal Council Executive (FEC) meeting.

Agriculture Minister Audu Ogbeh said the FEC took the bold step at the meeting, chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, to boost local food production for self-sufficiency and export in the next three years.

“The President Buhari-administration has identified agriculture and solid minerals as priority sectors for development to diversify the economy from oil.

“The 129-page document intends to amongst other things, raise agriculture’s share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 23 per cent; increase the share of labour force to 70 per cent; agricultural activity mix by 85 per cent crop production with a 15 per cent increase in livestock and other non-crop.

“It also seeks to enhance the country’s foreign exchange (forex) earning capacity through agricultural exports by growing the agriculture’s share of non-oil exports earnings to 75 per cent.

“The road-map will also facilitate the government’s capacity to meet its obligations to the citizenry on food security, safety and quality nutrition as well as increase budgetary provision for the agriculture sector by 2.0 per cent.