Nigeria Must Develop Agriculture As A Major Income Earner – Minister

The minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has advised that Nigeria must develop agriculture because the transition from oil to agriculture as the country’s major foreign exchange earner is vital to the country’s survival.

Ogbeh noted that Rivers State remains critical in the development of agriculture in the country, considering the fact that it hosts the two biggest fertiliser plants in Nigeria, Notore Limited and Indorama Petrochemical Company Limited.

Rivers State Governor, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, stated that agriculture should be developed as the country’s next foreign exchange earner in view of plunging oil prices, pointing out that developing agriculture would generate employment and strengthen the economy.

He further stated that the state government has instituted school farming to encourage youths to be involved in agriculture, said his administration has also extended loans to farmers for greater agricultural production. He approved the hosting of the 2017 agricultural conference in Rivers State as requested by the Minister of Agriculture.