The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi has announced that the ministry is prepared to collaborate with Propcom to enhance productivity, improve nutrition and boost food security across the nation.
He made this announcement during a meeting with a team from Propcom – a UK FCDO-funded programme on public-private partnership for animal health services in Nigeria, led by Deputy British High Commissioner, Gill Lever at his office in Abuja.
Abdullahi explained that Propcom is an eight-year programme established by the UK Government through its Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to support sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural and forestry practices that benefit people, climate, and nature. The program aims to transform Nigeria’s rural economy by addressing environmental, social and economic challenges in the nation’s food and land use systems. It will achieve this through strategic partnerships with key market actors, supporting policies to increase productivity, improve nutrition and food security and reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts.
According to the minister, “We have a big task to revive the food system, and we are ready to have you as a partner to achieve the high priority placed on food security by Mr. President because agriculture is the key and animal health is very important.” He noted that the ministry has an animal health support group working to reduce loss and improve productivity.
Abdullahi emphasised that agriculture is a multi-sectoral industry that requires collaboration, partnership, and more land to achieve its goals in productivity, nutrition, and food security in Nigeria. He said that the collaboration with Propcom would support the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of the president and ensure the ministry’s cooperation.
He also urged Propcom to look into pest control, as there was recently a serious attack on ginger that affected its productivity. Nutrition is vital for both animals and humans, and the Office of the Vice President held a summit recently in Abuja with traditional and religious leaders to promote balanced diet and nutritional feeding.
A statement by the ministry’s director of information signed by Chika Ezekwesiri, explained that mechanisation is also a sure way to enhance productivity if made available and Abdullahi confirmed that the ministry is in partnership with John Deere and Greener hope to achieve the President’s desired aim of food security.
In her remarks, the deputy British High Commissioner, Gill Lever said that Nigeria has had a close relationship with the UK for years and that Propcom’s programme aims to support resilience and sustainable agricultural and forestry practices that benefit people, climate and nature. She solicited support from the government for animal services, especially in rural areas.
