Expert acknowledges Jonathan’s transformation agenda

Expert acknowledges Jonathan’s transformation agenda

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan's transformation agenda which incorporates the development of the agricultural sector has been described as a good step, which is capable of boosting the nation’s economy.

The president of a UN agency, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Dr Kanayo Nwanze said this in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, while feeding questions at a forum with reporters.

An agricultural transformation agenda

“I believe that today, one can say with some degree of confidence that the new transformation agenda of President Good Luck Jonathan is one that is targeted at agriculture as the primary pillar in the economic development of this country,” he said.

“I do believe that the transformation agenda is going to be translated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development into an agricultural transformation agenda. This can be achieved by putting together working groups that would bring together the greatest and sharpest of Nigerian minds working with inter-ministerial groups,” he explained.

Reducing unemployment

However, the IFAD president cautioned that implementation of the agenda should not end with the agriculture ministry alone, but should also involve other stakeholders, including the Ministries of Trade and Investment and Youth Development.

“This will help in the efforts to explore all avenues and ensure that agriculture is lucrative to attract youths and reduce unemployment,” he urged.

 Nwanze expressed regret that Nigeria, which used to be a major exporter of agricultural produce such as cocoa and palm oil in the 1960's and 1970s was now the highest importer of food items. 

He urged the government and stakeholders in the sector to make conscious efforts to ensure that the trend was reversed.

He said: “Unfortunately, when we look back to the 1970s and 1980s when agriculture provided more than 60 per cent of our GDP, we had the largest share of groundnuts. We also had ample supply of cocoa and palm oil and other produce in the international market. But today, we are the major importers of these items. Countries like Malaysia, Vietnam, have overtaken Nigeria in the production of these commodities.’’

A holistic approach to development

He added that transforming Nigeria's agricultural sector within a few months would take a lot of efforts and conscious commitment by all stakeholders.

“So it's not only a government affair; it is a holistic approach to development; but focusing on agriculture and rural development as the mainstream of that programme,” he said.

He gave the assurance that if Nigerians focussed on agriculture and got support from the highest level of government through the states and local governments and all other players involved, the nation, in another four to five years, should be feeding itself as well as feeding most of West African nations.

The IFAD president urged the Federal Government to ensure that its visions, strategies and action plans in the sector are actionable.

NAN/Shakira/Ekata