In a bid to address the escalating food inflation crisis in Nigeria, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari announced a bold initiative on Thursday.
During a courtesy visit by the governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji to the minister in Abuja, Kyari revealed plans to collaborate with states to surpass the cultivation of 500,000 hectares of land in 2024.
The minister expressed confidence that this ambitious cultivation effort, undertaken in partnership with states, would contribute significantly to reducing the prices of food items and stabilising the country’s economy. He underscored the Federal Government’s concern about the surging prices of food items and the vulnerability of Nigeria’s borders. In response, the government is determined to exceed the cultivation target to counteract food inflation.
Kyari emphasised the ministry’s commitment to leveraging technology and mechanization for massive crop production, aligning with the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He expressed gratitude for the support and guidance of the President as they work toward a more food-secure Nigeria.
While outlining the strategy for achieving this goal, the minister acknowledged the challenges observed during the ongoing wheat dry season farming in 15 participating states. He highlighted the importance of addressing issues such as round-tripping and poor validation of farmers’ data to ensure transparent distribution and target genuine farmers.
He stated, “Collaboration with states, local government areas, traditional rulers, local farmers’ associations, non-governmental organisations and relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) will be crucial in achieving the desired objectives.”
Despite time constraints, Kyari expressed determination to make the second phase of the dry/wet season farming intervention, focusing on rice, maize and cassava cultivation, a resounding success. He called for the support of all stakeholders in the agricultural sector to overcome challenges and ensure the programme’s success.
Governor Oyebanji, in his remarks, urged the ministry to explore areas of collaboration. He shared the initiatives of his administration, including the updating of the farmers’ database and efforts to change the orientation of farmers, encouraging them to view farming as a business. Oyebanji stressed the untapped potential of agriculture in Nigeria and called for collective efforts to ensure food security in the country.
