The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, has identified agribusiness and agritourism as areas of investment that can strengthen the nation’s food security.
Umakhihe said on Friday in Abuja that agritourism enhances the tourism industry by increasing the number of visitors to the area.
He said this at the international Agribusiness and Agritourism investment forum, where he was represented by Mr Adebiyi Michael, Director, Agribusiness and Market Development in the ministry.
Mr Michael said, “Agritourism also provides communities with the potential to increase their local tax bases and new employment opportunities.
“Additionally, agritourism provides educational opportunities to the public, helps to preserve agricultural lands, and allows states to develop business enterprises.”
He said that the Federal Government has designed agricultural investment incentives to support high level private sector participation.
“While some of these incentives are in form of tax holiday, exemptions and reliefs, there are some that leverage on specific policies,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary restated the ministry`s commitment in working with relevant stakeholders to build agricultural and agribusiness economy capable of sustaining the country`s economy.
“I have no doubt that this forum will spur agricultural production which will ultimately contribute to growth and transformation in the nation`s economy,“ he said.
In a separate remark, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, urged security agencies to come up with strategies to make the initiative a success.
He was represented by Okokon Etoabasi, a deputy director in his office.
Contributing, the Deputy Country Director, World Food Programme, Nigeria (WFP), Guy Adoua, said that other countries should emulate Nigeria.
Mr Adoua said, “I work for WFP and I think we have something to learn and to share from this experience.”
He said that the programme`s work is to provide food assistance to people in need, adding that most of the items are procured locally in Nigeria.
In his remark, Henry Ogboi, the President World Agritourism Organisation (WAO), said that the organisation had allocated some hectares to government agencies and the government of Bangladesh.
He said that this is to hasten the development of the 200 hectares of Nigerian Agritourism village project situated in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Mr Ogboi said that the project would be centred on farm estate, improved machinery, mechanised farming, industrial hubs among others.
He said that the organisation is partnering relevant security agencies to ensure that farming activities are carried out without fear of attack.
“The organisation has opened a dual carriage to the entrance site to facilitate development of host communities,” he said.
On his part, Masudur Rahman, Bangldesh High Commissioner to Nigeria described the initiative by the government of Nigeria as noble.
Mr Rahman said, “This synergy will help if Nigeria and Bangladesh collaborate and both countries will benefit immensely.”
On the 50 hectares of land given to his country, he said that his people will ensure that both countries benefit in terms of job creation, rural development and human resource development.
The high point of the event was the declaration of the Agritourism Village Project in Ibadan, Oyo State for investment opportunities by Umakhihe.
