$22bn annual expenditure on imported food unacceptable – Saraki
Senate President Bukola Saraki has said the $22 billion annual expenditure on imported foods into the country is unacceptable. Senate President Bukola Saraki Speaking at a public hearing on the National Fertilizer Quality Control Bill, National Livestock Bill and legal framework for the inclusion of cassava policy bill, Saraki said Nigeria’s livestock production is also grossly inadequate. Saraki, who was represented by the deputy minority leader, Emmanuel Bwacha, said the Senate will through legislation address the challenges for the country to attain food security. “Nigeria’s livestock production is also grossly inadequate. We spend some $22 billion on food imports annually, with chicken alone accounting for N600 billion of that sum. Cattle, the most valued of our livestock products, meets only 60 per cent of our demand. “It was recently revealed that a Nigerian cow produces only one litre of milk on average per day. When we compare that to the 50 litres ou...