Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, says Nigeria is yet to reach up to 10 percent of its potential in agriculture.
He said, “Nigeria is largely an agricultural country with vast opportunities to produce for export but we are no where close to our potential.
“I do not think we have reached up to 10 per cent of our potentials in agriculture.
“The research institutions are very crucial to the development of agriculture in Nigeria. So it is imperative that we do not just make the research institutions better but positioned to contribute to the development of the country.
He also said the country has achieved 80 percent performance in the agricultural sector.
Nanono made this known at the Public Presentation of Executive Summary of Wet Season Agricultural Performance in Nigeria, by the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) in Abuja on Thursday.
He however expressed satisfaction with the achievement in the sector, said, “We are not doing badly. I hope next year we will reach the real mark.”
He said the level of performance was ascertained from findings carried out by NAERLS, stressing that the importance of data in moving the sector forward could not be overemphasised.
According to the minister, the issue of data is very crucial because it will give actual data and there is no more guess work.
“As we are going into a phase in the sector, I think we should be in a position to know what to focus on in each state and how many persons to get involved with in our activities with the help of data.
“This will now allow us to plan well. So, I think it is a welcome development,” he said.
The minister said while the achievement so far was being celebrated, more needed to he done to take the sector to an enviable position.
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“The research institutions are very crucial to the development of agriculture in Nigeria. So it is imperative that we do not just make the research institutions better but positioned to contribute to the development of the country.
“We are to develop all our research institutions. I cannot believe that up till now we have not reached our potential in seed production. We have not achieved 10 per cent.”
On extension services, Nanono said, “we have about 70million farmers but only about 14,000 extension workers while the standard is one to 25.
“So, what you are doing in ABU is very crucial and I want you to intensify your work in strengthening agriculture.”
The Executive Director NAERLS, Prof. Mohammed Othman said from the survey carried out across the country, most states recorded increase in rainfall in the North East and North West in 2019 with Bauchi having the highest, followed by Gombe in the North East and Kaduna in the North West.
He added that most states recorded increase in rainfall in the North Central and South East
Credit: NAN