The flag bearer of the Labour Party (LP) during the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, on Friday said that agriculture remains critical to Nigeria’s economic development.
Obi said this in a statement on his X handle following his visit to a large farmland, Mary Agro Farms in the Udi Area of Enugu State a few days ago and donated N10m to support their innovative agricultural productivity.
He further said that he was impressed by the progress they have made after starting just two years ago when he first visited and encouraged them with little support.
The former governor of Anambra state also seized the opportunity to call on Nigerians to go into agriculture, insisting it remains critical to the country’s economic development.
“I have consistently maintained that agriculture remains critical to our economic development and that the biggest assets our nation has include the vast uncultivated lands, mostly in the Northern states,” Obi said.
“Our abundant human and natural resources, especially concerning agriculture, if properly harnessed, will solve many challenges facing the nation, ranging from national insecurity, food insecurity, inflation, unemployment and over-dependence on imports.
“Boosting agricultural production would also help us to generate the much-needed additional foreign exchange. I appreciate the Management of Mary Agro Farms for helping the national vision of moving Nigeria from consumption to production.”
Obi added that aside from engaging in agricultural activities, Mary Agro Farms also trains young individuals who are passionate about agriculture and gives them loans to help them establish themselves.
He also said that as a people, we will continue to work together to build the New Nigeria of our dreams, driven by maximum productivity in a way that is beneficial to every Nigerian.
According to the LP presidential candidate, it is only by promoting the prosperity of the people that we can build a powerful and great nation.
