The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to encourage and support the production of agricultural products in the country, in order to decrease the considerable requests for foreign exchange as a result of high volume importation of food items into the country.


Speaking during a meeting with the management team of PZ-Wilmar Company Limited, led by its Chairman, Chief Kola Jamodu, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, decried the substantial requests for foreign exchange, which he put at 1.5 billion dollars per week, as a result of high volume importation of food items from other countries.

He said that the present administration will harp on enterprise and reforms to ensure that the Federal Government encourages the local production of agricultural products.

Ogbeh said the Ministry will work with the Ministries of Finance and Industry, Trade and Investment to brainstorm on the problems associated with the local production of food items as a result of the Free Trade Zone Policy.

The Minister praised the group representatives for their labour in job creation through the local production of palm oil in the country. He maintained that the target of the present administration is to expand local production of agricultural products, in order attain food sufficiency and boost the Nigerian economy.

He expressed gratitude to the delegation for their visit and assured them of the Ministry’s support.