SETTING THE AGENDA FOR NIGERIA’S NEXT AGRIC MINISTER DELIVERED BY LOVEWORLD PLUS TV GUEST, SOTONYE ANGA @ LOVEWORLDPLUS TV 9/6/15

Let me first of all admit that the task before the President Buhari administration is enormous, expectations are very high and Nigerians want to see results.

Considering the place and importance of Agriculture, Nigerians and indeed the world are watching to see who President Muhammadu Buhari will appoint as minister to head this all important ministry.

It is important to also note that ‘until Nigeria gets to a point where we produce enough to feed our over 180 million people and be food secured, any government in power would rather do more …’

The truth is, when Nigeria produces enough, and can feed her people as well as be food secured, we Nigerians will know. How?

1. We will see the abundance of food that we have produced.

2. There will be a dramatic drop in food prices.3. Demand for imported food will decline drastically.4. Our population will be healthier and happier.

Achieving food security does not require a decade; I believe it can be done in less than 2 years. Therefore, for the office of the Minister of Agriculture we need a visionary leader, who is experienced and skilled in the field of Agri-business as well as determined to drive growth in the sector, creatively attract and engage youths in different aspects of Agribusiness and provide an enabling environment for private sector agribusinesses to thrive.Sotonye anga, co-ordinator, Agribusiness and youth empowerment, COMMUNITY OF AGRICULTURAL STAKEHOLDERS OF NIGERIA (CASON). National Publicity Secretary, NATIONAL CASHEW ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (NCAN). CEO, UNIVERSAL QUEST NIGERIA.

Mr President should look out for an Agric expert who clearly understands the dynamics of Nigeria’s agricultural sector and resource, a man or woman with real knowledge and understanding of the operations of the Agricultural value chain, who is ready to bring about reforms that leads to increased food production, improved national performance of the agricultural sector, bring about significant reduction in our food import bill, substitute imported food with locally produced ones, attract investors and investments to the sector, build appropriate infrastructure that supports agricultural productivity and efficiency, strengthen productivity in the areas of livestock, fishery, and crop production, empower peasant farmers with improved farming technique/technology and input as they represent over 80% of our farmers, and develop the agricultural value chain.

The ministry of agriculture is one ministry that can quickly deliver results for any administration, so no administration can afford to play politics or joke with it, as agriculture holds the key for the diversification of Nigeria’s economy, the creation jobs for our young and old people, and generate the much needed foreign exchange for our nation.We need an Agric Minister with smart ideas and strategy to take us from where we are to Nigeria becoming a global power house in food production and export.

Sotonye anga, co-ordinator, Agribusiness and youth empowerment, COMMUNITY OF AGRICULTURAL STAKEHOLDERS OF NIGERIA (CASON). National Publicity Secretary, NATIONAL CASHEW ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (NCAN). CEO, UNIVERSAL QUEST NIGERIA.