As another year comes to an end, can we say that the Nigeria’s agricultural sector has been liberated from the clutches of trivialisation and omission?

Of course, yes! Without a doubt, agriculture is virtually on every lip you come across. This is what we set out to achieve ten years ago and it remains our duty to ensure that it stays that way.
Speaking of which, we must congratulate Chief Audu Ogbeh on his recent appointment as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. The Agronigeria team wishes him well and pledges its support to ensure that he succeeds in that office.
As usual, this edition has in its coffers, interesting and educative information, as well as current realities in the sector – with special focus on the suspension of the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) scheme, and the consequences of its non -resuscitation.
Reflecting on the achievements of the federal government since the inception of the new administration, a statement by the president to introduce more policies and build upon the existing ones propelled the contents of the cover story.
One of the most promising existing policies – the EEG is a scheme initiated by the Federal Government, basically to provide financial aid to individuals and organisations who are into non-oil businesses, in a bid to promote development in non-oil products export.
However, the truncation of the EEG schemes as far back as February 2014 will continue to cast a shadow of doubt on the viability of the exercise, unless immediate action is taken towards the implementation of the policy.
This is a clarion call to the government, to finally walk the talk of diversifying Nigeria’s economy from crude oil to agriculture. This cannot be done without a deliberate re-focusing of all other sectoral endeavors towards singularly enhancing agriculture – this being the fulcrum of the larger economy.
The retention of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), an initiative of the previous administration has shown that we do have a listening and pragmatic government.
It will be recalled that the nationwide AgroNigeria Town Hall Meetings and its attendant report indicated that Nigeria’s agricultural stakeholders were happy with the policy reforms undertaken over the last four years.
Just as the ATA was retained, the EEG can also be revamped.
Also embedded in this edition are readers’ feedback which go to show the sizeable appeal that your darling publication enjoys among our countryman and women. I cannot but also draw your attention to the Fototell section of the magazine which focuses on the Nigeria Agriculture Awards – another milestone achievement of AgroNigeria – aimed at celebrating agricultural achievements, by recognising the people who have contributed to the re-emergence of agriculture as a veritable force in Nigeria. We aim to use the landmark successes of this year as fodder for more achievements in 2016.
As we turn the calender, my team and I wish you a very productive yuletide.
Richard-Mark Mbaram, Esq.
Editor in Chief (EiC)