…Bemoans Grains Importation

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that in spite of government expenditure of more than N372.38 billion to boost agricultural development, Nigeria is still importing grains; mostly rice.

He said this in Tudun-Wada, Nassarawa State, during the agricultural exhibition organised as part of the 2010 World Food Day celebration.

Jonathan, who was represented by Alhaji Nojeem Awodele, Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the federal and state governments spent the amount on agriculture between 2007 and 2009.

He said that the federal and state governments in 2007 alone, spent more than N121.29 billion on agriculture and water resources.

Jonathan said that the critical areas of intervention included the strengthening of agribusiness through the institution of profitability and price-support mechanism.

He said that the Federal Government had also initiated various schemes in support of agricultural sector, adding that these included the agricultural credit guarantee scheme.

Jonathan said that the interventions had become imperative for the Federal Government to achieve food security as part of its seven-point agenda.

He noted that in spite of the various support and funding schemes, the agricultural sector was still facing several challenges.

He particularly urged the stakeholders to collaborate with the public sector to increase agricultural productivity in the country.

Dr Jacque Diouf, the Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), said that world food production would have to increase by 70 per cent to feed the projected global population of over nine billion people by 2050.

Represented by Mr Masayohi Matsushita, FAO Representative in Nigeria, Diouf said that the theme of this year’s World Food Day — “United Against Hunger” – underscored the need to set up good food security programmes in countries across the world.

“As we have an estimate of some 925 million hungry people in the world, let us reflect on the future. With determination and persistence, more food can be adequately produced and well-distributed,” he said.

The World Food Day, which was initiated at the 20th session of the FAO Conference in 1979, is observed on the 16th day of every October by member nations.