Nigeria eyes agro investments at 2015 Milano expo

Minister for Agriculture Dr Akinwumi Adesina stated this recently when he received the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Fulvio Rustico, who led a four-man delegation from the Milano 2015 Expo on a courtesy visit in Abuja. “Nigeria will participate because 65% of the arable land to feed the nine billion people in the world is in Africa,” […]

Minister for Agriculture Dr Akinwumi Adesina stated this recently when he received the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Fulvio Rustico, who led a four-man delegation from the Milano 2015 Expo on a courtesy visit in Abuja.
 “Nigeria will participate because 65% of the arable land to feed the nine billion people in the world is in Africa,” he said.
He emphasised the need to drive agriculture in a new way to unlock Nigeria’s potentials, stressing that over $5billion had been invested into fertilizer production by the private sector with a production capacity of 5.9 metric tonnes of fertilizer every year, starting from 2015.
Dr. Adesina explained the need to promote the country’s agro-allied industries, identifying Nigeria’s potential in the exportation of shell fish and shrimps. He said there are challenges locally in terms of food and nutrition.
 Nigeria seeks to showcase the Staple Crops Processing Zones (SCPZ) at the expo, with the involvement of state governments, especially state commissioners for agriculture, under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Structure.
Earlier, the Ambassador of Italy in Nigeria, Fulvio Rustico, stated that the presence of Nigeria at the Milano 2015 Expo would be fundamental because the country is regarded as a “super-power” in the area of agriculture.
Mr. Rustico, said that the participation of Nigeria at the expo provides a platform for the country to present her experience in agriculture, adding that they are convinced that Nigeria could make a difference.
About 120 countries are expected to participate at the Milano expo, with 41 coming from Africa. Nigeria is expected to occupy the 12th largest space at the event, covering almost 3000 square metres.