The Vice-President, Nigeria AgriBusiness Group, Dr Emmanuel Ijewere, gave this indication during a roundtable chart with agricultural correspondents in Lagos.

 

According to him, prior to the coming of former Minister of Agriculture, Mr Akinwunmi Adesina, Nigeria had only one integrated rice mill. He noted however that the revolution in the sector which was pioneered by the former minister saw Nigeria having twenty-two of facilities now.

Ijewere also noted that Nigeria currently produce only about 2 metric tons of rice while we consume about 8 metric tons with about 5.8 metric tons imported annually.

He however assured that with the level of activities going on in rice production, Nigeria should have enough to consume and start importing by end of 2018.

Ijewere also stated that Nigeria is now self sufficient in cassava production, while the group is ensuring production value chain with the cooperation of the government. He noted that end products like ethanol, sugar and renewable energies are now derived from cassava.

The group, he added, is also experimenting with tomatoes and the value chain inherent. According to him, work is going on with Dansa tomatoes plant in Kano where locally made tomatoes paste will be produced for consumption and exportation.

On the challenge of Land Use Act with farmers going into mechanised farming, Dr Ijiwere stated that his group has met with the government on it and that a commission has been set up to look into it. He however urged farmers not to be discouraged as his group will do everything possible to assist them in every way possible.

The agribusiness group boss also dismissed the claims of some tomatoes paste importers that the type of paste being imported is not found in Nigeria. “Nigeria is blessed with soil that can grow any type of tomatoes. What they import is ‘triple concentrate’ which is not good for consumption.” He said.

The pioneer coordinator of Nigeria Agribusiness Group who was accompanied by an official of the group, Mrs Temitope Oluwo, was named a patron of the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Journalists during the event.

In his acceptance, Dr Ijewere appreciated the efforts of the media in projecting the activities of the group. He promised the group ready information that would aid their reportage of the revolution in the agric sector.