The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security officially launched the National Potato Strategy 2023-2028 at the CRISPAN Suites Rayfield Jos, Plateau State. The launching whcih was done on the 7th of September, 2023 was done to usher in an era of productive competitiveness in the Nigerian potato industry

The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the Director Federal
Department of Agriculture Engr. Abubakar Garba stated in his opening remarks
that it was his pleasure to be in this illustrious occasion of the launching of
the National Potato Strategy 2023-2028 following the successful launch of the
National Rice Policy Document by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development. 

He reiterate the Ministry’s commitment towards the development of Nigeria’s
Agricultural sector. He said our goal is to stimulate economic growth through
various agricultural value chain activities, thereby creating employment
opportunities and improved livelihoods for our teeming youths and women.

Cross section of participants at the event in Jos, Plateau State.

The Permanent Secretary assured everyone that food and nutrition security is
a priority for the Ministry and we are committed to achieving it. He said the
Ministry is embarking on massive production, processing, value addition and
product development to be the bedrock for driving our industries. This
launching couldn’t have been better timed, following President’s recent
directive on the intensification of crop production. He said he had no doubt
that the Nigerian Potato industry has the potential to become globally competitive
given the country’s strong comparative advantage in production. Potatoes can be
commercially grown in 12 States which holds well for the activities of many
stakeholders.

He further stressed that the essence of this strategy is to ensure sustainable
food and nutrition security with a view to catalysing the rapid transformation
of the Nigerian potato sector into a commercially viable sub-sector of the
Agricultural Value Chains as a major export product. He stated that the
Ministry is aware of the challenges in the agricultural sector, nevertheless I
assure that necessary measures are being taken to address them accordingly.
Proactive initiatives, such as this National Potato Strategy creates avenue for
inclusive collaborations to chart the way forward. 

Finally, the PS recognized and commend the selfless contribution of GIZ’s
Global Programmes “Green Innovation Centres for the Agriculture and Food
Sector-Nigeria’’ (GIAE), International Potato Centre (CIP) Nairobi, Kenya and
other key stakeholders involved in the development of the National Potato
Strategy Document 2023-2028.