Government Launches Five-Year National Potato Strategy

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has launched the National Potato Strategy 2023–2028 as part of efforts to achieve massive production, product development , value addition and processing of potato in Nigeria.

Speaking during the launch in Jos, Plateau State, the Permanent Secretary, FMAFS, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, said “Potatoes can be commercially grown in 12 states, which hold well for the activities of many stakeholders. The essence of this strategy is to ensure sustainable food and nutrition security with a view to catalyzing the rapid transformation of the Nigerian potato sector into a commercially viable sector of the Agricultural Value Chains as a major export product.”

Umakhihe pointed out that food and nutrition security is a priority for the Ministry and is thereby committed to achieving it, with a goal to stimulate economic growth through various agricultural value chain activities thereby creating employment opportunities to teeming youths and women in the country.

“He said the ministry is embarking on massive production, processing, value addition and product development to be the bedrock for driving the industries.”

The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director, Federal Department of Agriculture, Abduallahi Abubakar, said the essence of this strategy is to ensure sustainable food and nutrition security with a view to catalyzing the ‘rapid transformation’ of the Nigerian potato sector into a commercially viable sub-sector of the Agricultural Value Chains as a major export product.

He also pointed out that the ministry is aware of the challenges in the agricultural sector, nevertheless “I assure that necessary measures are being taken to address them accordingly. Proactive initiatives, such as this National Potato Strategy, create avenue for inclusive collaborations to chart the way forward.”

On his part, the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, said his administration would continue to seek collaboration with critical stakeholders on how to boost potato farming and production in the state.

The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bugama Samson Ishaku said the state is the home of potato, adding that all hands must be on deck to ensure the implementation of the National Potato strategy for sustainable food and nutrition security.

Agronigeria/Shakirat Sadiq