The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has urged the Federal Government not to relent on its efforts until all the potentials in the agriculture sector are fully utilized.
The association also called on the Federal Government to reconsider its position on the ECOWAS Common External Tarrif (CET) on palm products so as to protect local production and marketing of the products.
NACCIMA National Vice President of the association, Alhaji Sanusi Maijama’a, during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina,lamented that the agriculture sector is yet to achieve its full potential given the position that it holds to the national development as a source of food security; job creation; raw materials production for industrial growth; and the generation of foreign exchange for the country.
Nigeria to save 1.2bn from Cassava flour
The Director-General of Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Dr. Gloria Elemo, has said that Nigeria will save N1.27 billion annually from the use of cassava as bakery products instead of wheat.
Speaking at an end of the year gathering Elemo said that the use of cassava in bread-making would reduce the quantity of wheat being imported yearly.
“We must reduce our reliance on raw materials from abroad, especially if we have it in Nigeria. We will save N1.27 billion if we start manufacturing cassava-based bread,” she said, saying that the volume of foreign exchange expended by the government annually importing agro commodity such as rice, wheat, barley malt among others runs into billions of dollars.
Elemo said Nigeria depend largely on the importation of finished goods from other countries which is said to be exporting jobs that should have been created for its citizens.
She said research and development being carried out by the institute had started to make significant impact on the economy, and had also serve as a major contributor to job creation as well as growth in the national GDP.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
