Embracing smart agric key to improving GDP, job creation, says Pantami

Dr Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, says the most reliable way to improve the agricultural output which will, in turn, boost Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP) and job creation are to embrace emerging technologies.

Pantami says this is consistent with the drive by the federal government to diversify the country’s economy, stating that the world is now focusing more on skills instead of certificates.

Speaking at a virtually held empowerment programme for farmers under the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA), Pantami said the programme was in line with the policy of the National Digital Economy policy and strategy for a Digital Nigeria launched and unveiled by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Pantami had at the unveiling of the National Digital Economy Policy by President Buhari said delivering a digital economic country prompted the president to recently change the portfolio of the Ministry of Communications to the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

“We are working on the development regulations, digital integration, building solid infrastructure, deployment of emerging technologies, as well as local content promotion and we, want all hands on deck,” Pantami said

The National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) was developed in line with the Presidential directives given to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, on the assumption of office.

Digital technologies, according to stakeholders, are transforming every aspect of modern life and the NDEPS will enable Nigeria to take advantage of them in order to become a leading player in the global digital economy and provide a catalyst to facilitate the diversification of the economy and the attainment of the key national objectives of improving security, reducing corruption and expanding the economy.