President Mohammadu Buhari on Monday called Nigerian’s to work with his government in ensuring that agriculture is made the mainstay of the country’s economy considering the falling price of crude.
President Buhari made the call while giving a speech at the 8th Bola Tinubu Colloquium held at the International Conference Center, ICC, in Abuja.
Buhari said the cooperation of all Nigerians would however be required to make agriculture the country’s economic mainstay considering the shrinking crude oil price.
Asserting that “we must produce what we eat,” the President reiterated his administration resolve to prioritize agriculture so as to ensure that the country is sufficient in the production of rice, wheat among other crops.
The President further challenged investors to commit to agricultural production so as to support his government’s plan. He said investors would be encouraged towards speeding up agricultural production.
He also assured that his government will not renege on the school meal programme, adding that school children should not be made to search for food when they are supposed to be in school learning.
The governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Bagudu, in his presentation, cautions that government interventions have been unable to address challenges facing agriculture in the country.
He said of over three million hectares of farmland, less than five percent had been used.
The governor urged the Federal government to encourage the production of wheat while adding that the country can still do better with its current insufficient rice production.
