FG to join forces with States, Private Sector for Food Security
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment towards achieving food security, economic diversification, empowerment of youth and women as well as harnessing the opportunities linked within the agricultural ecosystem.
To this end, it plans to work closely with states and private sector partners to strengthen the food security architecture.
According to him, the Federal Government’s agricultural policies aim to close the country’s food demand deficit and achieve sustainable food systems.
The Minister emphasized that this objective would only be realized through increased investments in food production by State Governments and Private Sector Partners.
During a working visit to Jangwa Rice Farm in Ayarkeke, Awe Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, weekend, Sen. Kyari stated that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration remains focused on transforming the agricultural landscape to meet the nation’s growing food demand.
He noted that “the visit underscored the shared commitment of both federal and state governments towards achieving food self-sufficiency and fostering inclusive agricultural development’’.
Addressing farmers at the farm site, the Minister assured them of the Federal Government’s continuous support.
“The youths are the promise of tomorrow. When we invest in them today, we are securing the future of our nation,” Kyari said
He also pledged ‘’to return after harvest to assess the positive impact of the initiative on the lives of the people’’
The Minister highlighted that the initiative would encourage more states to invest in agriculture, boost rice production, and catalyze the rice value chain, ultimately reducing importation of the product
Earlier, the Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule noted that the state is a leading rice-producing state and currently the country’s largest sesame producer.
He disclosed that the initiative has provided an opportunity to positively engage the youth and women in farming while also reducing crime in the state
The 1,300 hectare rice farm visited in Jangwa, Nasarawa State, is one of the Legacy Agricultural Projects of Governor Abdullahi A. Sule. Divided into three segments—Block A (250ha), Block B (350ha), and Segment C (700ha), it is a model of youth and women engagement in commercial agriculture.
The farm sources its high-quality seeds Faro 45 and Faro 61 from Olam, which also serves as the major off-taker of the paddy, a statement by the Agric Ministry’s Assistant Director, Information, Ezeaja Ikemefuna, disclosed
