Minister: Nigeria have to feed itself
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| We will use that know-how to transform the raw materials that we've got in abundance into merchandise and services |
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnya Onu, stated in Abuja on Thursday that food safety became very essential to Nigeria and that the country ought to be well-placed to feed itself.
"Nigeria’s burgeoning populace intended that its lack of ability to feed its residents might create issues for the nation and additionally for the worldwide community," Minister stated.
Receiving a delegation of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology that paid him a courtesy visit, he stated non-stop importation of food already created a hike in prices, thereby placing force on the nation.
He stated that the ministry become decided to transport the nation’s economic system far far from that of exporter of raw materials and natural resources to one which changed into extra information-pushed and productive.
"We accept as true with very strongly that when our financial system relies upon on expertise, we will use that know-how to transform the raw materials that we've got in abundance into merchandise and services," he stated.
The minister pressured that the importation of the nation’s wishes changed into now no longer beneficial to a country with a massive populace like Nigeria.
He stated considering that extra than 60 according to cent of the Nigerian populace became made of younger people, the lack of ability to create jobs might result in difficulties.
Onu brought that the Nigeria’s GDP might upward push if there has been a decrease inthe importation and there has been the encouragement of nearby manufacturing of merchandise and foods.
He stated additionally that there has been the want for food safety and protection of excessive standards, including that food safety turned into of essential importance.
"Nobody will want to import or export food that isn't always safe," he stated.
The minister stated that the Nigerian Institute for Food Science and Technology turned into very essential to the country’s financial system and tasked the institute to preserve the usual and to make certain food safety.
"Once we will keep a completely excessive preferred and make sure that our food is safe, it will likely be simpler for us to penetrate the African marketplace after which the worldwide marketplace," he emphasized.
Previously, Prof. Iwe Maduebibisi, National President of the Institute, stated it seemed ahead to extra concerted efforts with the ministry of their collective attempt to chart a brand new path for the institute.
Maduebibisi confident the minister that the institute became organized to help the authorities to make sure food security, protection and availability.