| Agriculture |    2108 VIEWS  |
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Monday,
January 17, 2022 / 2:26 PM / Ottoabasi Abasiekong for WebTV / Header Image Credit: Business Day
The recently inaugurated National Agricultural Technology and
Innovation Policy (NATIP) for the period 2022-2025, will be best implemented if
the issues around bureaucratic bottlenecks are addressed. Mr. Chuka Mordi, the
CEO of Ellah Lakes Plc said this while providing his assessment of the new
policy designed to fast-track Nigeria's agricultural revolution.
He said that the NATIP was a well-thought plan for the Agricultural
sector, with inputs from private sector players like Mrs. Ndidi Nwuneli, MFR,
CEO of Sahel Consulting and provides the opportunity for unlocking
value in the Agri-business value chain.
The
business leader was hopeful that the government will provide the enabling
environment and legislations, to make the new Agricultural policy work for all
stakeholders.
Speaking
on the Ellah Lakes Plc partnership with Enugu State government in rice
processing, he described it as a welcome development for the sector. He
said about 5,000sqm of land is expected to be cultivated in the Adani
area. Other crops that the company is considering include; soyabeans,
cassava and maize.
According
to Mordi the plan is to transform Adani, Uzo-Uwani LGA, Enugu state into one of
the leading 'Staple Crop Processing Zones" in Nigeria.
He
said "Essentially it is to engage in cultivation that would create jobs and
economic opportunities for the host communities. We plan to develop a Feed Mill and Ethanol processing plant on the site in
Adani which will have significant impact on Enugu state".
"Our
plan is to diversify products, improve risk mitigation and take advantage of an
import substitution strategy for Nigeria" he added.
Supplying
his views on the issue of subsidies for the agriculture sector, he said its
application can be very useful in encouraging the growth of local production in
the country.
He
was of the opinion that subsidies and temporary tariff walls could help to
boost growth in the local agricultural sector, if properly targeted and
vigorously applied.
"In
areas where there is immense potential for growth with crops like rice, cassava
and oil palm, if the policy of subsidies are applied properly it will boost
productivity in cultivation and processing".
On
the issue of financing for the industry, Mordi acknowledged the interventions
of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and called for an improvement in the
linkage between the public and private sector.
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