FG to collaborate with states on food security

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The Federal Government (FG) is excited about State Governors endorsing food security programmes by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. 

During a visit to the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, expressed this excitement while receiving Governors AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, and Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State. 

The governors visited to advocate for increased crop production to address food inflation and shortages in Nigeria.

Kyari said that the visit marks a significant endorsement for enhancing collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and State Governments to foster a robust Agricultural Sector in Nigeria. 

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He acknowledged the progress in agriculture across various states and articulated the overarching goal of enhancing year-round agricultural production to address food inflation, unemployment, poverty, economic growth, and inclusivity. 

He expressed confidence in the potential partnership to achieve these objectives.

“There is no question that if we get things right now, and without an iota of doubt with all hands on the plow, future programmes and projects will enable us more seamlessly achieve all-year-round agricultural production with beneficial consequences for Economic Empowerment, Inclusivity, and ultimately wider opportunities for Value Addition, Food and Nutrition Security as well as Industrialization.

“It implied Your Excellencies, that the more involved the sub-national governments are, the more sustainable agricultural production becomes and the higher the chances of realizing the interconnected 8-Point Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”

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The Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, stressed the need for the Tinubu-led administration to transfer all agricultural programs from the Central Bank of Nigeria back to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. 

He criticised the Anchor Borrowers Programme as a failure and stressed Nigeria’s potential to not only feed itself but also the entire West Africa. 

AbdulRazaq urged state governments to invest in data to streamline agricultural processes, ensuring genuine farmers receive the necessary support. 

He praised the minister and his team for collaborating with state governments to achieve food security, calling for the revival of Agricultural Development Programmes in certain states and increased involvement of agencies like River Basin Development Authorities and the National Agricultural Lands Development Authority.