Yesterday, Minister Abubakar Kyari announced that the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has expended N309 billion within the past year to fortify food security nationwide.
During a briefing in Abuja marking the one-year anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Kyari outlined numerous achievements aimed at bolstering food and nutrition security, increasing market access, competitiveness, and employment within the agricultural sector.
Key initiatives implemented under Kyari’s leadership to enhance food and nutrition security include the initiation of dry-season farming for 2023-2024 across 15 states, benefiting 107,429 wheat farmers who yielded 474,628 metric tonnes of produce. Additionally, the distribution of 58,500 metric tonnes of milled rice nationwide was undertaken to mitigate escalating food prices.
To augment agricultural production and mitigate food inflation, the ministry distributed improved seeds, fertilisers, agrochemicals, and equipment to farmers. Measures were also taken to combat ginger blight disease, develop 23 improved crop varieties, and promote e-extension services for enhanced farmer support.
In collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the ministry provided 2.15 million bags of fertiliser free of charge to farmers. Furthermore, over 14 million doses of vaccines were distributed, and various animal health centres and pest control operations were established to bolster livestock production and health.
Significant progress in mechanisation was achieved through international partnerships, resulting in the provision of tractors and machinery. Additionally, 20,755 farmers, including youth and women, were trained and empowered on agri-business and poverty reduction initiatives nationwide.
In rural infrastructure development, the ministry constructed 77.8km of asphalt roads, 130.9km of earthen roads, boreholes, and installed solar street lights, creating nearly 60,000 jobs in rural areas. Other initiatives such as soil analysis, water conservation training, and climate-smart agriculture practices were also implemented to manage agricultural lands and address climate change.
Efforts are ongoing to consolidate these achievements and further develop Nigeria’s agricultural sector, including enhancing agro-industrial and agro-tourism sectors, and improving access to credit through the Bank of Agriculture.
Minister Kyari reaffirmed the commitment to scale up these successes to enhance food security, boost export potentials, and ensure the agricultural sector remains a key driver of Nigeria’s economy.
