Leadership (Abuja)
Grace Azubuike
12 November 2009
Abuja — The Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Dr. Sayyadi Abba Ruma, has said that Nigeria and the West Africa sub-region is not yet self sufficient in food production.
Failure on the region's part to rededicate itself to intensive agriculture would result in colossal catastrophy and worsen food crises within the ECOWAS sub-region.
He disclosed this at the opening ceremony of Economic Community of West African States international conference on financing regional agricultural policy in West Africa" (ECOWAP/CAADP), yesterday in Abuja.
Ruma stated that ECOWAS has caused the assemblage of ministers in-charge of agriculture and funding partners to deliberate and adopt the draft regional partnership compact for the implementation of ECOWAP/CAADP in the region and countries respectively.
The minister further said that as a government "we are interested in showcasing Nigeria's agricultural potentials through exposing farmers and ailled stakeholders to improved new trends in agriculture as well as attracting local and foreign investments to the sector through elaborate involvement of the private sector in the food chain process."
According to him, "It is hoped that the success of this meeting shall form an enduring process that would assist in curbing poverty, hunger, generate employment, ensure food security and realisation of the objectives which the Africa Union leaders set for itself under the NEPAD initiatives.
In his address on behalf of international financial institutions, UN agencies and development partners, the ambassador of Spain, Angel Losada, said the international community has endorsed its commitment to take decisive action to free humankind from hunger and poverty. through improving food security.
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