Fidelia Okafor.

The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA,  is aiming to work with the Federal Government in the implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), 2017- 2020. The Association said the current move is in lline with ERGP of the federal government to open up a minimum of 100,000 hectares of irritable land through the 12 River Basin Development Authorities, by 2020.

President of NACCIMA, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, who disclosed this in Lagos while making presentation at the monthly forum of the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Journalists, NAAJ, said that efforts should be geared towards supporting governments program on agriculture since the sector has been identified as key to growing the economy.

Lawson who was represented by Mr. Ade Adefeko, chairman, NEXAG, said that the sector plays strategic role in the process of economic development especially at this point when the country is on the path to diversifying the economy from oil revenue.

According to him, Agriculture has made significant contribution to the economic prosperity of advanced countries and its role in the economic growth and development of Nigeria is of utmost importance, and so, it is very encouraging to note that agriculture has now taken a major role in the policies and plans of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Giving statistics of growth of the industry, Lawson said that, the agricultural sector is one of the major contributors to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, as well as a major source of employment for the rising class of unemployed youth across the country.

Despite the negative growth rate of Nigeria’s GDP, the agricultural sector has shown consistent growth since the 3rd quarter of 2016, he observed, saying that the industry in 3rd quarter of 2016 increased by 4.54 per cent and by 4th quarter of same year it rose by 4.03 per cent while by first quarter of 2017 it increased by 3.3 per cent indicating steady growth by all measure.

He noted that the association through its Agriculture Trade Group has carried out numerous projects to promote the growth of Agriculture in Nigeria.

Such activities he said include, mass sensitization about the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme in a bid to ensure Private Sector Participation as Anchor Companies, as well as advocated discussion to obtain Implementation timelines for the Agriculture promotion policy released by federal ministry of agriculture and rural development.

The group also has carried out advocacy efforts to achieve the resuscitation of institutions such as the Agricultural Research Outreach Centre, AROC, Agricultural Research Technology Transfer Centre, ARTTC and River Basin Authorities.