SAN FRANCISCO, July 11, (THEWILL) – Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has declared that the agricultural sector is the way forward for the country’s economy and is an integral part of the country’s plan for sustainable economic growth and development.
Osinbajo expressed this view on Monday during a meeting at the Presidential Villa attended by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Heineken Lokpobiri who led a Mexican agro-business concern, the San Carlos Group, and their Nigerian partner, Wells Farm, from Edo State, to the Villa.
“President Buhari has said it repeatedly that agriculture and solid minerals, especially agriculture is our economic way out,” he said.
“This is the president’s vision, and our job-the rest of us- is to look for ways to get that dream actualized because the federal government will ensure conducive customs and immigration policies including tariffs in order to attain the vision.
“President Buhari is ready to support the agricultural plans in any way necessary which is why the President set-up the Presidential Council on the Ease of Doing Business to attract local and foreign investors.
“There is no doubt in which direction we should go, agriculture is in the forefront and we do realise the urgency of the moment and the importance of getting things done quickly.
The VP stated adding that with the experience of the Mexican company-Carlos, he is optimistic that the plans and projections tabled at the meeting would be attained.
Under the plan, Wells Farm would partner with Carlos in several agricultural business initiatives and employ a total of about 85,000 Nigerians.
A suggestion to replicate the partnership with Carlos in the other geopolitical zones, just like Wells Farm which is based in the South-South, was also discussed. Farms are being opened and talks are already on with a number of other states in the federation to ensure this.
Carlos, the Mexican agro-business interest is said to be one of the biggest concerns in the South American country and is part of the story of how Mexico raised its foreign earnings from Agriculture in the last few decades to about $398B.
The CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Mr. Segun Awolowo, Jnr was also at the meeting.
Story by David Oputah
