The social and economic importance of agriculture cannot be over-emphasized. Agriculture provides is the major employer of labour, as it contributes substantially to the Gross Domestic Product of a nation. Even in the advanced economies, agriculture forms the basis of industrialization, as it is a sou
rce of
raw materials for industries. In Nigeria, prior to the discovery of
crude oil, agriculture formed the plank of the economy.
Without doubt, agriculture accounts for about more than a quarter of the Nigerian economy and has important linkages, direct and indirect, with industry. Hence, the increase or decrease of agricultural production has a significant bearing on industrial production and corporate performance. Companies using agricultural raw materials as inputs or supplying inputs to agriculture are directly affected by the changes in agricultural production.
Meanwhile, a strong and an efficient agricultural sector would enable a country to feed its growing population, generate employment, earn foreign exchange and provide raw materials for industries. The agricultural sector has a multiplier effect on any nation’s socio-economic and industrial fabric because of the multifunctional nature of agriculture, and Nigeria having great agriculture potentials is not an exception.
One would concur that the Nigerian economy, during the first decade after independence could reasonably be described as an agricultural economy because agriculture served as the engine of growth of the overall economy before the potential discovering and full exploration of the black gold called crude oil. From the stand point of occupational distribution and contribution to the GDP, agriculture was the leading sector. During this period, Nigeria was the world’s second largest producer of cocoa, largest exporter of palm kernel and largest producer and exporter of palm oil. Nigeria was also a leading exporter of other major commodities such as cotton, groundnut, rubber and hides and skins. Agricultural sector contributed over 60% of the GDP in the 1960s and despite the reliance of Nigerian peasant farmers on traditional farming methods, these farmers produced 70% of Nigeria’s exports and 95% of its food needs.
However, the agricultural sector suffered neglect during the hey-days of the oil boom in the 1970s. Ever since then, Nigeria has been witnessing extreme poverty as the insufficiency of basic food items. That is, historically, the bane of the crisis in the Nigerian economy lie in the neglect of agriculture and the undue increased dependence on a mono-cultural economy which is based on oil.
TODAY, AT THE GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE HALL, IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE YENAGOA, THE BAYELSA STATE GOVERNMENT SIGNED AN MoU WITH A DANISH COMPANY ON THE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF CASSAVA IN THE STATE. THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF BAYELSA STATE REAR ADMIRAL GBORIBIOGHA JOHN JONAH REPRESENTED THE GOVERNOR AT THE EVENT WHILE MR. WOLFGANG REPRESENTED THE COMPANY.
The foreign partners said, the location of the proposed cassava farm and factory is very prolific and the land is suitable for the mass production of cassava. Mr Wolfgang added that the Company aims at the production of 50, 000kgs of cassava a day, counting on their wealth of experience in South East Asia.
It is important to recall that Bayelsa State can leverage on cassava production because of certain enormous benefits.
Cassava is a massive source of Carbohydrate and glucose syrups can be derived from there. It can be useful to paper manufacturing industries and the production of confectioneries, soft drinks and other derivatives such as indomie noddles.
Once again, the RESTORATION ADMINISTRATION has taken another colossal stride in her effort to look beyond crude oil, which is now the mainstay of our economy. It is a right step at Agricultural revival in the State.
In his remarks, after the MoU, the Deputy Governor expressed confidence that Bayelsa State can have a brand apart from the enormous benefits of job creation and boosting the GDP of the State. The spill-over benefits, according to him would be the growth of allied industries and the strengthening of other bilateral trade agreements in this direction.
THE RESTORATION ADMINISTRATION IN BAYELSA STATE HAS SINCE EXPRESSED ITS READINESS TO BOOST AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND INCREASE THE IGR OF THE STATE. BAYELSA STATE IS WORKING.
Without doubt, agriculture accounts for about more than a quarter of the Nigerian economy and has important linkages, direct and indirect, with industry. Hence, the increase or decrease of agricultural production has a significant bearing on industrial production and corporate performance. Companies using agricultural raw materials as inputs or supplying inputs to agriculture are directly affected by the changes in agricultural production.
Meanwhile, a strong and an efficient agricultural sector would enable a country to feed its growing population, generate employment, earn foreign exchange and provide raw materials for industries. The agricultural sector has a multiplier effect on any nation’s socio-economic and industrial fabric because of the multifunctional nature of agriculture, and Nigeria having great agriculture potentials is not an exception.
One would concur that the Nigerian economy, during the first decade after independence could reasonably be described as an agricultural economy because agriculture served as the engine of growth of the overall economy before the potential discovering and full exploration of the black gold called crude oil. From the stand point of occupational distribution and contribution to the GDP, agriculture was the leading sector. During this period, Nigeria was the world’s second largest producer of cocoa, largest exporter of palm kernel and largest producer and exporter of palm oil. Nigeria was also a leading exporter of other major commodities such as cotton, groundnut, rubber and hides and skins. Agricultural sector contributed over 60% of the GDP in the 1960s and despite the reliance of Nigerian peasant farmers on traditional farming methods, these farmers produced 70% of Nigeria’s exports and 95% of its food needs.
However, the agricultural sector suffered neglect during the hey-days of the oil boom in the 1970s. Ever since then, Nigeria has been witnessing extreme poverty as the insufficiency of basic food items. That is, historically, the bane of the crisis in the Nigerian economy lie in the neglect of agriculture and the undue increased dependence on a mono-cultural economy which is based on oil.
TODAY, AT THE GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE HALL, IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE YENAGOA, THE BAYELSA STATE GOVERNMENT SIGNED AN MoU WITH A DANISH COMPANY ON THE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF CASSAVA IN THE STATE. THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF BAYELSA STATE REAR ADMIRAL GBORIBIOGHA JOHN JONAH REPRESENTED THE GOVERNOR AT THE EVENT WHILE MR. WOLFGANG REPRESENTED THE COMPANY.
The foreign partners said, the location of the proposed cassava farm and factory is very prolific and the land is suitable for the mass production of cassava. Mr Wolfgang added that the Company aims at the production of 50, 000kgs of cassava a day, counting on their wealth of experience in South East Asia.
It is important to recall that Bayelsa State can leverage on cassava production because of certain enormous benefits.
Cassava is a massive source of Carbohydrate and glucose syrups can be derived from there. It can be useful to paper manufacturing industries and the production of confectioneries, soft drinks and other derivatives such as indomie noddles.
Once again, the RESTORATION ADMINISTRATION has taken another colossal stride in her effort to look beyond crude oil, which is now the mainstay of our economy. It is a right step at Agricultural revival in the State.
In his remarks, after the MoU, the Deputy Governor expressed confidence that Bayelsa State can have a brand apart from the enormous benefits of job creation and boosting the GDP of the State. The spill-over benefits, according to him would be the growth of allied industries and the strengthening of other bilateral trade agreements in this direction.
THE RESTORATION ADMINISTRATION IN BAYELSA STATE HAS SINCE EXPRESSED ITS READINESS TO BOOST AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND INCREASE THE IGR OF THE STATE. BAYELSA STATE IS WORKING.
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