NIGERIA – Plateau State, Nigeria, is set to embark on a transformative journey into agricultural exports, capitalizing on its competitive advantage in the sector – horticulture.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, following his official trip to Paris, revealed plans to revive flower cultivation, horticulture, and floriculture, recognizing their global demand.
Governor Mutfwang highlighted the significance of this strategic move during an interview at the Yakubu Gowon Airport Heipang, Jos, upon his return from Paris.
Emphasizing the immediate benefits, he stated, “We can export many things, but we will start with the ones that can give us immediate benefits. One of the things we will revive on the Plateau is the cultivation of flowers, horticulture, and floriculture. This is something that the world is looking for.”
Expressing his administration’s commitment to boosting agricultural exports, Governor Mutfwang stressed the need for diversifying the economy away from reliance on income from the oil sector.
“The income generated from the oil sector is no longer sufficient,” he explained. “Therefore, the state would need to diversify the economy through the exportation of agricultural commodities.”
Anticipating Plateau State’s ascent to a leading exporter of agricultural products in Nigeria, the governor said, “By the grace of God, Plateau will be among the leading states in Nigeria with the capacity to export agricultural products.”
“This trip has been an eye-opener for us, and we will use the knowledge gained to improve our agricultural capacity at home.”
Governor Mutfwang underscored the importance of knowledge and experience for local farmers to enhance agricultural capacity.
He assured citizens that his administration would implement policies aimed at improving their well-being and living standards.
In line with Plateau State’s ambitions, the Group of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) earlier this year, urged African countries, including Nigeria, to adopt intensive agriculture to address hunger and achieve food sufficiency.
CGIAR’s Executive Managing Director, Dr. Ismahene Elouafi, emphasized the need for adequate investment in the agricultural sector during her visit to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan.
Dr. Elouafi highlighted the existing yield gaps in most African countries, pointing out that they were producing only 10% of their agricultural potential.
She emphasized, “We need to produce intensive agriculture in Africa to bridge the yielding gap, be it in animal, fisheries, crops, among others.”
The convergence of Plateau State’s focus on agricultural exports and CGIAR’s call for intensive agriculture aligns with the broader goal of enhancing food security and economic development across the African continent.
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