President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration will implement policies that will revive Nigeria’s agricultural sector and reposition it as the mainstay of the national economy.

A statement by Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, said Buhari spoke when he granted audience to Bulgaria’s new Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Vesselin Blagoer Delcher.

He said his administration would evolve and implement policies that would help Nigeria become self-sufficient in food production because continued importation of food could expose the country to more external shocks.

According to the president, the unbridled importation of food also contributes to the depletion of the country’s foreign reserves and deprives citizens of job opportunities.

‘‘We must produce what we eat. We don’t have unlimited resources to continue the importation of food that can be produced locally.

“Fortunately, some Nigerians have shown foresight by building factories that process agricultural products within the country.

‘‘They have created a value chain that boosts employment, protects foreign reserves and safeguards the economy from external shocks.

“We will do all that we can to encourage others to join in the efforts to achieve national self-sufficiency in food production’’, he said.

The President said administration would also help and encourage Nigerian farmers to adopt modern technology-driven methods that guarantee higher production and returns on investment.

Buhari also received Mr Paul Lehmann, the new High Commissioner of Australia, Hajiya Afsatu Olayinka Ebiso-Kabba, the new High Commissioner of Sierra-Leone and Thordur Aegir Oskarsson the new Ambassador of Iceland.

The president told the envoys that Nigeria would welcome the further strengthening of relations with their countries, especially in the areas of agriculture, solid minerals and trade.

He wished the envoys, who were at the Presidential Villa to present their letters of credence to him, very successful tenures in Nigeria.

(NAN)