Agribusiness
By Idris Olukoya
Epe (Lagos State), June 26, 2024 (NAN) An NGO, Concerned Nation Builders Initiative, has urged the federal and state governments to prioritise agribusiness for national development.
National Coordinator of the NGO, Mr Ladi Kassim, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Epe on Wednesday.
Kassim described agribusiness as a good strategy for economic development, wealth and job creation as well as a huge source of foreign exchange earnings.
According to him, agribusinesses are organisations and entities involved in one or more stages of production of crops and livestock.
He highlighted agribusiness activities to include: manufacture or distribution of agricultural supplies and equipment, such as machinery, feeds and fertilisers.
He said that agribusiness might sell items to farmers for production, provide services to other agricultural businesses or be engaged in the marketing, transportation, processing and distribution of agricultural products.
Kassim said that government should provide conducive environment and incentives for the private sector to engage profitably in agriculture.
This, according to him, is the best time for the country to move into agriculture, as there are challenges in the oil and gas sector.
“As you can see, the country is experiencing inadequate food supply; our youths are unemployed and there are inadequate raw materials for industrialisation, among other challenges.
“Attention should, therefore, be given to agriculture at the highest political level, while farming should be treated as a sustainable business for the country,” he said.
Kassim advised state governments to develop agricultural initiative programmes for the overall benefits of the citizens.
“Agriculture is an important factor in the development of any state, while food security is very key, particularly in this era of economic challenges,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
SIO/DE/WAS
Edited by Dorcas Jonah and ‘Wale Sadeeq
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