An agricultural expert on Thursday said that N12 trillion would be needed to feed Nigerians by 2050, when its population is expected to hit 340 million.

Mr Sotonye Anga, Coordinator of the Agribusiness Community of Agricultural Stakeholders of Nigeria (CASON) gave the figure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to him, Nigerians currently spend N17 billion to feed the 170 million population.

Anga noted that in the next 35 years Nigeria’s population would double and that its 340 million people would need to feed.

“Nigerians spend average of N100 in one day, meaning that they spend N17 billion and that translates to N510 billion every month and N6.2 trillion annually.

“Nigerians will eat every day, irrespective of any situation and by 2050 our population will double to 340 million.

“As the population increases, our national food spending will rise to N12 trillion.

“We, therefore,” Anga, who is also the National Publicity Secretary of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) said, “need a fundamental shift in government policy in favour of agriculture.”

He stressed the need for government to grow what is required to feed the growing population, through effective agricultural policy.

According to him, if Nigeria produces N6 trillion worth of food and consumes same, it will stimulate economic growth.

“It is time to build Nigeria’s multi-trillion naira agric economy and prosper our people.

“Let government support farmers and agribusiness practitioners because Nigeria has no business importing food.

“Agribusiness is important for human survival and the survival of Nigeria.

“Agriculture provides the platform for tourism; agriculture provides bio-fuel for vehicles and agriculture provides cotton, wool and leather for clothing and furniture.

“It provides raw materials for our industries and the food that we eat to remain secure and healthy.” (NAN)

•Photo shows agricultural produce.