Juliet Jacob Ochenje
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), in collaboration with Green Innovation Centre for the Agriculture and Food Sector and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and other Relevant Partners, has launched the National Potato Strategy (NPS) 2023 -2028.
It is aimed at increasing potato production into a commercially viable sub-sector of the agricultural value chains, boost export earnings and achieve food and nutrition security in the agricultural sector.
Speaking during the launch of the NPS in Jos, Plateau State, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, represented by the Director, Federal Department of Agriculture, Engr. Abdullahi Abubakar, said it would stimulate economic growth through various agricultural value chain activities, create employment opportunities and improve livelihoods of Nigeria’s teeming youths and women.
Dr. Umakihihe stated that food and nutrition security was a priority for the Ministry, adding: “We are committed to achieving it. The Ministry is embarking on massive production, processing, value addition and product development to be the bedrock for driving the industries.’’
He revealed that the Nigerian potato value chain has the potential to become globally competitive, given the country’s strong comparative advantage in production. Potatoes can be commercially grown in 12 states which holds well for the activities of many stakeholders.
Umakihihe assured that the potato strategy document would be a springboard for the realisation of Nigeria’s aspiration to achieve food and nutrition security.
