Annual maize demand hits 7m metric tonnes - FG

Mrs. Karima Babangida, Director, Federal Department of Agricultural Extension at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has said annual demand for maize in the country is estimated at over seven million tonnes.

Babangida who disclosed this at a seven-day training workshop for women on modern skills of maize production, processing and marketing at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) in Zaria recently, said the training has the objective of adding impetus to the government’s desire to move the economy away from its dependence on oil revenue.

The director who spoke through Mrs. Sugra Mahmud, an Assistant Director, said “This is a situation that is unacceptable and inimical to our economic development as a nation. Therefore, there is a huge market opportunity that can absorb additional local production.”

She said “Under the Green Alternative – Agriculture Promotion Policy of the present administration, the issues of unemployment, wealth creation and food security are being addressed. The present administration recognizes the need to harness and mobilise the resources of the country into actionable agricultural programmes that are people- oriented in order to make meaningful impact on the economy.

“As you are all aware, agriculture is pivotal to the success of the current administration’s economic diversification drive.”