Research council advises on post-oil economy through agric

The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has proposed the establishment of Agricultural Entrepreneurial Development Centres (AEDC) across the federation preparatory to a post-oil economy.

ARCN Executive Secretary, Professor Garba Sharubutu, who made the suggestion, also appealed to the Federal Government to set up a special committee to deliberate on the post-petroleum economy in Nigeria and make appropriate recommendations that would guarantee the survival of the nation’s economy.

Sharubutu, while maintaining that it was essential that the post-petroleum economy in Nigeria be sustainable by diversifying through agriculture, stressed that the core economic diversification using agriculture must be long-term and skills-based.
   
In an interaction with The Guardian in Abuja, the executive secretary expressed happiness that Nigeria was investing in agricultural skills development and acquisition.
  
He said: “Fortunately, Nigeria currently invests significantly into agricultural skills development and acquisition on a yearly basis. For example, about 50 to 69 per cent of the Zonal Intervention Projects in the agricultural sector are focused on skills development.