In a bid to get Nigeria out of the current economic recession through agriculture, the Federal Government has expressed readiness to partner with Osun State Government in the ongoing process of massive food production.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh made this known whyen he paid a courtesy visit to the Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in Osogbo .

He also disclosed that Nigeria will by December this year stop the importation of rice due to massive rice production embarked upon by government.

Ogbeh said it is unfortunate that Nigeria is still spending billions of dollars on food importation, thereby calling for maximum collaboration and partnership between and among the various authorities to revamp agriculture.



According to the minister , the  Federal Ministry of Agriculture has been restructured to meet the nation’s needs on food production so as to bring an end to all forms of food importation.

He said the purpose of the visit is to cement the existing relationship between the Osun State Government and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture on the need to achieve a better agricultural productivity.

Ogbeh attributed the current economic recession to the nation’s failure to harness her huge potential in agriculture.

While pointing that Nigeria has gotten to a stage where her numerous God-given resources must be appropriately harnessed, he added that the era of sole reliance on crude oil as a means of sustenance has gone.

The Minister said his ministry has meeting with relevant stakeholders to revamp the agriculture sector, a move which he said would go a long way in rescuing the nation out of poverty and unemployment.