The Former Vice-President of the World Bank, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, applauded the Federal Government’s emphasis on agricultural development in the country.

According to sources, Ezekwesili said in Lagos, that the focus on agricultural development was doing a lot to empower farmers across the country.

She added that the current emphasis had redirected the focus of more than 60 per cent of the population into agriculture and related businesses.

“I think the emphasis that government is giving to agriculture and agribusiness is very good. I applaud them (officials) for the emphasis on agriculture, agrobusiness and enhancing productivity. “Because, frankly, already we have more than 60 per cent of our citizens in agriculture.

 “So, if you want to tackle poverty, go to the sector where the people who are mostly poor are operating, and it’s in agriculture and provide them with the kind of tools and the kinds of facilities, the extension services, the links to the market, the seeds and inputs, the access to credit.

“The better business environment, all of these add together to improve their productivity, and   therefore, will improve their income.

She also urged the government at all levels to make more efforts to boost agricultural development in the country in order to reduce the rate of poverty.