Minister Identifies Commodities To Drive Transformation

The Federal Government says it has prioritised rice, cassava cocoa and sorghum as the commodities to drive the process of transformation agenda in the agricultural sector.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwani Adesina disclosed this during an interactive session with members of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Donor Working Group in Abuja recently.

Dr. Adesina welcomed the IFAD upcoming value chain programme, adding the federal government transformation agenda in agricultural sector was hinged on using the value chain approach achieve increase in the income of rural farmers, create jobs, reduce poverty and enhance economic growth.

According to the minister, the IFAD value chain programme, rice and cassava fell within the priority  commodity list of the federal government under the leadership of Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

He stressed the need to enhance the production of rice and cassava for efficiency, competitiveness and better income along the chain.

The minister appealed to IFAD to assist the ministry in meeting the productivity potential of the two commodities pointing out that the ministry was determined to transformation of Nigeria agricultural into business-oriented approach from the present subsistence level.

While commending IFAD for initiating the value chain programme, the minister called for harmonisation of all the emerging value chain initiatives by donors with necessarily compromising the principles of the engagements in the country. He, therefore, suggested the IFAD, AFDB and USAID should forge effective collaboration in their value chain programmes to avoid duplication of efforts.

If was gathered that the value chain initiative is expected to commence in the country  in 2012 with funding of up to 100 million dollars.