**House of Representatives Calls for Mechanised Agricultural Revolution to Combat Food Insecurity**
The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Federal and State Governments to address the ongoing food insecurity crisis by initiating a mechanised agricultural revolution across the country.
This resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Clement Jimbo, who sought the House’s intervention. Hon. Jimbo emphasized the Parliament’s role in ensuring peace, order, and good governance, as stipulated in Section 4(2) of the 1999 Constitution. He stated that Nigeria has a responsibility to harness its resources, promote national prosperity, and foster a self-reliant economy.
The House recognized the importance of agriculture to Nigeria’s economy, noting that it provides livelihoods for most Nigerians and generates millions of jobs, as highlighted by the Food and Agricultural Organisation.
Hon. Jimbo acknowledged various Federal Government intervention strategies, such as the release of fertilizers to farmers, distribution of grains to households, and activation of land banks. He pointed out that Nigeria has 70.8 million hectares of agricultural land, with 34 million hectares being arable and suitable for crops like maize, rice, cassava, and yam.
He referenced the National Agricultural Sample Census Report 2022, released by the Bureau of Statistics with support from the World Bank and FAO, which identified 40.2 million agricultural households in Nigeria. The report underscores agriculture’s role as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy, despite facing challenges such as outdated and insufficient data, which hinder effective planning and resource allocation.
The House expressed concern that, despite significant financial resources and efforts by 40.2 million households, food insecurity persists. The high cost of food products, driven by insufficient supply, can lead to malnutrition, psychological distress, and other negative outcomes.
To address these issues, the lawmakers urged the Federal Government, in collaboration with state governments, to designate a minimum of 18,000 hectares of arable land in each of the six zones, creating Geo Agricultural Zones. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security was mandated to allocate these lands based on comparative advantages in crop cultivation.
Additionally, the House called for the appointment of seasoned agriculturists as Geo Agricultural Zone Project Managers (GaZPM) to oversee the cultivation of these lands using mechanisation, with proceeds stored in the National Food Bank. The House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services was tasked with monitoring compliance.
