The Nigerian Presidency has stressed the need to diversify Nigeria’s economy through a massive food production programme that will commence soon.

This is according to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Sonny Echono.

He told journalists in Abuja, Nigerian Capital that the programme would help to create huge employment especially among youths across the country.

He noted that the disposition of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration which listed agriculture, as a critical element in addressing challenges confronting Nigeria, stems from the understanding that agriculture remained the only substantially viable sector that could counter unemployment challenge decisively.

The development according to Echono, is part of the Nigerian government’s efforts to shift the economy away from so much reliance on crude oil to agriculture which Nigeria generated huge revenue from before the discovery of crude oil.