The Federal Government of Nigeria has disclosed the potential of agribusinesses and Agro tourism to strengthen the state of the country’s food system if these sectors are awarded adequate investment and attention.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, stated this at the international Agribusiness and Agritourism investment forum on Friday in Abuja.
Umakhihe who was represented by Mr Adebiyi Michael, Director, Agribusiness and Market Development in the ministry said the investment in agribusiness and Agritourism would strengthen food security of the nation.
In his words: ‘Agritourism enhances the tourism industry by increasing the number of visitors to the area.
“Agritourism also provides communities with the potential to increase their local tax bases and new employment opportunities.
“Additionally, agritourism provides educational opportunities to the public, helps to preserve agricultural lands, and allows states to develop business enterprises,” he said.
He said that the Federal Government had designed agricultural investment incentives to support high level private sector participation, adding that some of these incentives are in form of tax holiday, exemptions and reliefs, there are some that leverage on specific policies.
He also reiterated the ministry’s commitment in working with relevant stakeholders to build an agricultural and agribusiness economy capable of sustaining the country’s economy.
“I have no doubt that this forum will spur agricultural production which will ultimately contribute to growth and transformation in the nation’s economy,“ he said.
In a remark, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, represented by Mr Okokon Etoabasi, a deputy director in his office, urged security agencies to come up with strategies to make the initiative a success.
