- Northern Nigeria has the potential to feed the nation and export to other parts of the world if the government implements good policies
- Northern Nigeria has abundant arable land and a comparative advantage in agriculture
- The government should prioritize agriculture and implement agricultural policies faithfully
Prof. Abdulkarim Muhammad, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State, has stated that Northern Nigeria has the potential to feed the nation and export to other parts of the world if the government implements good policies.
Muhammad stated this on Thursday in Kano at the Regional Food Science and Technology Summit, which was hosted by the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology, North West chapter.
The don, who described the theme of “positioning Northern Nigerian Food for the Global Market” as appropriate, stated that northern Nigeria has great agricultural potential due to its abundant arable land.
If properly developed and harnessed, it will not only satisfy our domestic needs, but will make Nigeria a global force in food within a short period of time, he explained.
Despite its comparative advantage, Muhammad chastised the country for abandoning the production of crops such as rice, cassava maize, and sorghum.
He urged the federal government to prioritise agriculture because it has the potential to turn the country’s economy around through multiplier effects.
The vice chancellor urged all levels of government to implement agricultural policies faithfully.
Dr Zahra’u Bamalli, chairperson of the Nigerian Institute of Food Technology, Northwest chapter, had previously stated that the programme aimed to improve food production in the north.
According to her;
The theme of the conference signifies the importance of leveraging our culinary heritage, indigenous ingredients, traditional knowledge to create innovative and high-quality global competitive food products.
We must explore avenue for value addition, address issues related to food safety and quality, adopt sustainable production practice and enhance the marketing and distribution network to carter to the demand of an evolving global market, she said.
Bamalli explained that the conference was aimed at fostering collaboration among researchers, industry professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders.
According to her, through collaborations, they can collectively work towards developing practical solutions and strategies that will elevate the northern Nigerian food industry to new heights.