LAGOS – A former President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chief Kola Jamodu, on Tuesday in Lagos told Federal Government to create an enabling environment for the growth of agriculture.
Jamodu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the appeal was necessary because agricultural raw materials were becoming insufficient to sustain production.
Jamodu, who is also the Chairman of Nutricima Ltd., a Lagos-based food processing firm, said that the incentives could be in the form of loans to farmers to boost maize and milk production.
“This present administration has been making efforts in that regard, but we want more to be done.
“We source for materials locally, but end up importing because of the scarcity of these produce.
“Farmers and growers lament the insufficiency because they are not empowered to produce enough quantity to meet the needs of the massive population.
“Most importantly, more focus needs to be given to the real sector at this time that the prices of oil are dwindling,” Jamodu said.
Jamodu added that Nigerians were becoming more conscious of their food choices and this had spurred more investment in the food and beverages sector.
He said that Nutricima Ltd. would support the government through corporate social responsibility to improve the lives of citizens.
The former minister also urged multinational food processing companies to invest in the nation’s economy by sourcing for raw materials within the country.
NAN reports that the food and beverage sector accounted for about 60 per cent of the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product in non-oil products in 2013, and the first half of 2014. (NAN)
Ex-MAN president wants enabling environment for agribusiness
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