AATF Appoints Jonathan As Africa’s Ambassador For Agricultural Technology

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has agreed to serve as Africa's Ambassador for Agricultural Technology for the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF).

The AATF Communications Officer, Alex Abutu, released a press release on Friday that includes the information that was made public in Abuja.

Abutu revealed that the revelation was made following a recent meeting between Jonathan and Dr Canisius Kanangire in Yenagoa, the Executive Director of the AATF.

According to him, the former president was chosen because of his prior successes in promoting agricultural reform on the continent.

He cited this statement from Kanangire: ”Jonathan’s commitment to uplift agriculture on the continent was exemplified by the agricultural transformation agenda he pursued and diligently implemented in Nigeria during his tenure as President.

“The agenda targeted increasing efficiency and profitability in about 12 selected key agricultural commodities, which include: cotton, cocoa, cassava, oil palm, maize, soya bean, onion, rice, livestock, fisheries, tomato and sorghum.”

Kanangire said the agenda resulted in the creation of more than 3.5 million new employment, many of which came from other value chain operations.

Accordingly, this was with more than N300 billion in extra income in the hands of Nigerian farmers and rural business owners, with more than 60 billion naira infused into the economy, he said.

"This was from the substitution of twenty per cent of bread wheat flour with cassava flour.

“Another critical element of Jonathan’s agricultural legacy was his ability to cut down on the importation of food that can be produced locally.’’

“This saved the nation well over N1.3 trillion per annum on the importation of foodstuff.’’

Kanangire added that Jonathan was able to show how agriculture should be supported by appropriate policies and treated as a business in Nigeria.

He said that doing this would help the expanding farming population's quality of life.

Kanangire disclosed that Jonathan participated in peaceful conflict resolution on the continent because he supported the eradication of rural poverty and the peaceful coexistence of the continent.

"Jonathan will advocate the advancement of Africa’s agricultural goals and economic growth through the application of innovative technologies and enhanced investment in agriculture.

"‘AATF is honoured to have the former president as our Ambassador, whose role will accelerate ongoing efforts to improve our agricultural terrain,’’  Kanangire said.