Nigerian Agriculture: fear of policy Perturbations with change of Government.

    The agricultural sector in Nigeria has always been at the receiving end of changes in political administration and policies. The sector has experienced these perturbations in the past 40years, with great impact on its sustainable growth. No nation develops without consistent growth of it's agricultural sector and the

assurance of food security needs of the people.
The sovereignty and national defense of a nation is a factor of the level of food security, because a hungry man is an angry man.
I have chosen to put up this piece because on the 29th of May 2015, we shall usher in a new government and I am concerned about the stability of  the sector. It is my fervent prayer and believe that there will be *change* from the norm, i.e, this time around we will have continuity in the achievements so far recorded in major agricultural commodities under ATA, ( Cassava, Rice, Wheat, Groundnut, Cocoa, Sorghum, Cotton, Livestock and Fisheries). That, the new government will follow the path of progress in agriculture already set and there will be hand over of baton, aiming towards the same goal without going to begin again. Anything other than this will only bring the sector on its knees, (God forbid). Local and foreign investors have made and are making huge investments and commitments, (some of which are just maturing). Financial Institutions and organizations have taken great and patriotic strides in the sector, thereby creating jobs along different commodity supply chains. To date, there are over 16 new brands of locally produced, milled and packaged rice; there are good number of industries both small and medium producing cassava starch, cassava chips, cassava based ethanol, high quality cassava flour, food products and other derivatives of cassava. A number of oil palm plantations and mills have come up in the last 4 years. Alhaji Aliko Dangote and others have committed huge financial resources into rice and tomato industries; so also are the Flour Mills of Nigeria and the HoneyWell Flour Mills that have produced and commercialized 10% cassava wheat composite flour which has given a boost to the policy of cassava flour inclusion in bread.
In conclusion, the agricultural transformation agenda has injected a total of 21 metric tonnes of food into the system. No wonder, the food prices remain relatively stable despite the naira devaluation and the dwindling oil revenue.
All I am saying is that the in-coming government should look beyond partisan politics, remove personal and myopic view and be objective as well as patriotic enough to recognize the good works done so far in order to enshrine continuity of the agricultural policy. My humble plea for a better Nigeria and the future of our generations born and unborn.