At Kaduna trade fair, Buhari harps on improved local agric produce, FG/state collabo

President Muhannadu Buhari has stated that despite efforts, Nigeria is still facing the challenge of feeding its population and providing adequate raw materials for industries through agriculture.


Buhari who stated this on Saturday at the opening of the 40th Kaduna International Trade Fair, however said government would continue to work hard to address the agriculture challenges, as agriculture contributes 25.5 per cent to the Nigeria GDP and 50 per cent of its labour force.

The Kaduna International Trade Fair is a 10-day annual event organised by the Kaduna Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), where both local and international business ideas and inventions are generated and showcased.
Buhari, who was represented at the occasion by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelama, however identified creation of a strong linkage between agriculture and industry as a sure way of bringing about sustainable growth, creating new jobs, improving value addition.
“Nigeria has continued to face the challenge of meeting domestic food requirements, providing raw materials for the manufacturing sector and export. Therefore, creating a strong linkage between agriculture and industry is a sure way of bringing about sustainable growth by creating new jobs, improving value addition.
“The move will also create wealth for farming communities, improve manufacturing output and enable roll-out of infrastructure around farming communities which will industrialise our country in the long run,” he said.
The President also described state governments as key allies for successful businesses in the country, adding that their commitment was required for businesses to succeed. 
“We rely on state governments to provide access to land, act as mediators in conflict prevention and resolution, link local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to the supply chains of processing companies.
“States also provide the needed infrastructure to link farms to processing plants and markets, and above all, provide a conducive environment for businesses and their host communities to thrive. I am glad to say that we have such a partner in the Kaduna state government,” he said.
Buhari however assured that the Federal Government under him would continue to engage KADCCIMA and the organised private sector to catalyse investment and improve the ease of doing business.
Kaduna state Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, while congratulating KADCCIMA for 40 years of successfull trade fair outing and organisation of the private sector to contribute to national development, assured that he would continue to build the needed human capital by equipping teeming youths in the state with skills for entrepreneurship development.
El-Rufai, who was represented by the Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, enumerated the successes of the state through its investment friendly environment
President of KADCCIMA, Hajiya Muheeba Dankaka, described the 40th edition of the fair as unique, considering KADCIMA’s 40 years of contribution to the development of Kaduna state and the country. She commended the Federal  and the Kaduna state government for promoting the growth of the private sector in the state through various business-friendly policies.

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