By Nneka Nwogwugwu
Kaduna State Government has unveiled blueprint to restructure the agric sector.
A policy document was prepared to enhance the unprecedented growth and development of agriculture after nine months of research and extensive consultations.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Agriculture, Hajiya Halima Lawal said that the policy evolved in response to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1 and 2 and the need to diversify the economy.
The commissioner further said that the policy will develop ‘’agriculture as the economic backbone, create self-sufficiency in food production in line with the federal government’s effort to diversify the economy, reducing over-dependency on oil and ultimately create enabling environment for private sector investment.’’
The commissioner reiterated that the Nasir El Rufai ‘’administration recognizes that in ensuring food self-sufficiency for employment generation and stimulating agro industrial development, Agricultural is key.’’
Halima thanked both the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa(AGRA) for funding the evolution of the policy through a two-year capacity strengthening project, and the facilitator, Synergos Nigeria for their assistance.
She also commended the Partnership for Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Africa (PIATA), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UKAid and the Rockefeller Foundation for their support.
