The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in partnership with the International Potato Centre in Kenya and the Nigerian National Potato Multi-Stakeholder Platform, has introduced a comprehensive five-year National Potato Strategy.
This strategic initiative, launched in Jos, Plateau State, aims to serve as a crucial roadmap, delineating key objectives, targets, and actionable plans for fostering the growth of the potato value chain within Nigeria.
Minister Abubakar Kyari, overseeing Agriculture and Food Security, emphasized that the National Potato Strategy for 2023 – 2028 is designed to promote the expansion of the Nigerian potato industry and the widespread commercial cultivation of potatoes across the nation, with a specific focus on generating employment opportunities.
The Minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe said, “Following the successful launch of the National Rice Policy Document by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. I am confident the National Potato Strategy would follow in the footsteps of the Rice policy to usher in an era of productive competitiveness in the Nigerian potato industry.
“Let me reiterate the Ministry’s commitment towards the development of Nigeria’s Agricultural sector. Our goal is to stimulate economic growth through various agricultural value chain activities, thereby creating employment opportunities and improved livelihoods for our teeming youths and women. Food and nutrition security is a priority for the Ministry and we are committed to achieving it. This launching couldn’t have been better timed, following the President’s recent directive on the intensification of crop production.
“I have no doubt that the Nigerian Potato industry has the potential to become globally competitive given the country’s strong comparative advantage in production. Potatoes can be commercially grown in 12 States which holds well for the activities of many stakeholders. The essence of this strategy is to ensure sustainable food and nutrition security with a view to catalysing the rapid transformation of the Nigerian potato sector into a commercially viable sub-sector of the Agricultural Value Chains as a major export product…”
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