From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has outlined several initiatives and priorities aimed at enhancing food production in the country.
These initiatives include the delivery of agricultural inputs to farmers, the repositioning of agricultural institutions, and deepening engagement among farmers, herders, and communities.
Abubakar Kyari, the Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, outlined these measures in a speech he delivered during the opening ceremony of the 46th meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Food Security in Calabar.
According to Kyari, “As priority actions, ongoing tasks include the delivery of agro-inputs to farmers, the repositioning of agricultural institutions, and deepening engagement among farmers, herders, and communities.”
“Other initiatives include collaboration on water resource irrigation schemes, soil fertility and information systems, the establishment of laboratories in research institutes, and the repositioning of relevant universities, faculties, and colleges,” the minister said.
The minister emphasised that the meeting serves as a platform for appraising existing policies, programmes, and projects at the national and sub-national levels to foster synergy, best practices, entrepreneurship, livelihood, and growth in the sector.
He urged participants to uphold the principles of inclusiveness, transparency, prioritisation, and partnership for collective agribusiness undertakings in the country.
Also speaking, Aliyu Abdullahi, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, said the government aims to use infrastructure, technology, and entrepreneurship as fundamental elements in exploring agricultural potential, sectoral linkages, and social inclusion for food security in the country.