Introduction:
The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched an ambitious five-year national strategic plan aimed at revitalizing potato production within the country, spanning from 2023 to 2028. Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, emphasized that this initiative is designed to drive economic growth by leveraging various agricultural value chain activities.
Global Potato Landscape:
On the global scale, China leads the pack as the world’s largest potato producer, boasting a staggering 94.3 metric tonnes of potato output. In Africa, Egypt holds the top position, producing approximately 6.9 million metric tonnes, surpassing Nigeria, which ranks seventh with an annual potato production of 1.2 million metric tonnes.
The Strategic Vision:
The core objective of this strategic plan is to establish sustainable food and nutrition security while catalyzing a rapid transformation of Nigeria’s potato sector into a commercially viable sub-sector within the Agricultural Value Chains. The aim is to position potatoes as a primary export product, thus enhancing Nigeria’s presence in the global market.
Evaluating the Strategy:
While the launch of this strategic plan is a timely and encouraging step, some analysts express skepticism regarding its specificity. The plan lacks clear targets in terms of the precise volume of potato production it intends to achieve over the next five years. For this initiative to be truly effective, it should set well-defined production goals and benchmarks.
Aiming Higher:
If executed effectively, this strategic plan has the potential to elevate Nigeria from its current position within Africa’s potato producers. However, achieving this goal demands a targeted approach, where Nigeria competes directly with other leading potato-producing nations on the continent.
Conclusion:
The unveiling of the five-year strategic plan to boost potato production in Nigeria is a commendable move by the government. As this initiative takes shape, it’s crucial to establish concrete production targets and measures to ensure its success. By doing so, Nigeria can aspire to become a prominent player in Africa’s potato production landscape, contributing significantly to the nation’s agricultural and economic development.
