The Federal of Government has revealed that the nation spends a whopping N1.3 billion on the importation of milk.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, when he paid a courtesy visit on Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, at the Government House, Kano, as part of an official visit to the state on Wednesday.
The minister reiterated his call that Nigeria must embrace all-year-round agriculture if the population, which is estimated to hit 500 million by 2050, is not to starve to death.
According to him, excessive importation of food items is hindering the nation’s growth,
He said the state was leading in agricultural produce throughout the country and is very strategic in irrigation.
Furthermore, the minister commended the state government for giving macro agricultural credits to youths in the state.
Responding, the governor said agriculture in the state was still not at the level he wishes it to be, adding that they are making efforts to connect to the real farmers.
Ganduje said his administration was taking advantage of the calamity that befell Nigeria due to dwindling oil revenue by promoting agriculture.