Yemisi Izuora
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), has advised state governments to concentrate on agricultural products on which they have comparative advantage so as to complement one another in food supply to the nation and to boost non oil export in Nigeria.
The agency urged the states to strive as much as putting enormous resources into such products, and drive them to scale up their production.
Director General of NEPC, Dr. Olusegun Awolowo who made the call at the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Journalists (NAAJ) annual convention and awards ceremony in Lagos, stated that Nigeria has the potential to develop numerous agricultural products adding that the country’s target growth on export value is to move up to N18 billion by 2018 and N30 billion by 2025.
Awolowo who was represented by Babatunde Olusegun Faleke, south west coordinator of the agency said, “Where we are today is N5 billion by 2018, we can move up to N18 billion
By 2025, we look up to N30 billion, because of the price of oil, we are low.we are short by N30billon,” he said.
Also speaking at the event on the topic: Land Tenure Challenge and Its Effect on the Development of Agriculture in Africa, Ayodele Kusamotu, a renowned Lawyer highlighted the problems with land acquisition in Africa.
He said access to credit on agricultural land saying the scheme has not improved since many banks are still unlikely to accept land as collateral for loans.
He added that in some parts, land transaction fees are too high compared to international standards as well as difficulties in registering properties, among others.
He however recommended the institutional framework administering tenure requires focus.
“Professionals in land administration related discipline like land economy, land law, land surveying, land use/spatial planning, agricultural, natural resources and development are to be recruitted to get these work done.
“Acquisitoon of information is jey ans this ia nor expected to be a one-time effort. Continuous monitoring and evaluation of reform programmes are needed to keep the developmental efforts in check and under control as well as making same responsive to the latest needs of the agricultural and land holding community,” he said.