Agronomist calls for articulate agro-industrial policy to attract investors


 A UK-based agronomist, Mr Temi Kpogho, on Tuesday called for an articulate agriculture-centred industrial policy aimed at attracting foreign investors to the sector.
Kpogho told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on telephone that some agricultural consultancies were interested in Nigeria’s agriculture sector.
He said that the current attention to the development in the nation’s agriculture sector was largely in response to the drop in the price of crude oil.
``The approach to agriculture at the moment is largely tied to the boom and bust cycle of oil prices.
``During the period of high oil prices, we do not entertain any discussion on diversifying the economy.
``The very minute the price collapses, we start talking about agriculture.
``It is an extreme case of Dutch disease, so, the Federal Government needs to get the private sector to be more involved in agriculture,’’ he said.
The agronomist told NAN that the government must have milestones in mind which could be used as a yardstick to determine the progress made.
``The government needs to develop an agriculture-centred industrial policy with measurable targets; until this is done, our agriculture sector will continue to lag behind,’’ he said.
Kpogho said that some states like Anambra were giving sparks of agricultural development and with agro-allied industries setting up factories in the South-West region.
He stressed the need for the provision of an enabling environment for investors in the agriculture sector to thrive to restore the nation’s comparative advantage.
``We have a few bright sparks currently, from states like Anambra bringing agriculture to the front burner, and entrepreneurs setting up agro-allied industries mostly in the South-West.
``We are currently having discussions with some agricultural consultancies who want to set up offices in Nigeria, they have to feel welcome.
``There should be some clarity in what the policies of the government are as regards to the agriculture sector and there is more to be done,’’ Kpogho said.
According to the agronomist, if the private sector was involved, it will help the country to develop the sector to a very high standard.

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