The Federal Government has launched a National Potato Strategy 2023–2028 as a springboard for the realisation of Nigeria’s aspiration to achieve food and nutrition security.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, stated this during the launching of the strategic plan in Jos, Plateau State, on Thursday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
He said the goal was to stimulate economic growth through various agricultural value chain activities, thereby creating employment opportunities and improved livelihoods for the teeming youths and women.
Umakhihe pointed out that food and nutrition security is a priority for the Ministry and is thereby committed to achieving it, adding that the Ministry is embarking on massive production, processing, value addition, and product development to be the bedrock for driving our industries.
He expressed optimism that the Nigerian potato industry has the potential to become globally competitive given the country’s strong comparative advantage in production, adding that potatoes can be commercially grown in 12 states, which holds well for the activities of many stakeholders.
He said, “The essence of this strategy is to ensure sustainable food and nutrition security with a view to catalyzing the rapid transformation of the Nigerian potato sector into a commercially viable sub-sector of the agricultural value chain as a major export product.
“The Ministry is aware of the challenges in the agricultural sector; nevertheless, I assure you that necessary measures are being taken to address them accordingly. Proactive initiatives, such as this National Potato Strategy, create avenues for inclusive collaborations to chart the way forward.”
The Permanent Secretary who was represented by a Director in the Ministry Engineer Abdulahi Abubakar commended the selfless contribution of GIZ’s Global Programmes “Green Innovation Centres for the Agriculture and Food Sector-Nigeria’’, the International Potato Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, and other key stakeholders involved in the development of the National Potato Strategy Document 2023–2028.
He assured that the potato strategy document would be a springboard for the realization of Nigeria’s aspiration to achieve food and nutrition security.
In his address, Governor Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State said the launching of the program in the state was apt and timely in view of the large cultivation of potatoes in Plateau State and assured that his administration will partner and collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in actualizing the laudable program.
The Governor, who was represented by the State Commissioner of Agriculture, Hon. Bugama Samson Ishaku, commends the ministry for its tireless efforts in ensuring food security for the country.
