Abuja, Jan.2, 2024: The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari says the ministry is boosting domestic production of staple crops to enhance food security in the country.
Kyari stated this in his New Year message on Monday in Abuja.
He said this has been accelerated with it’s commencement in November 2023, of the dry season farming, targeting wheat, rice, maize, and cassava.
” We felicitate with fellow Nigerians, as we usher in a New Year of renewed hope and great expectations.
” We acknowledge that, in many respects, the past year, 2023, presented challenges to us as a nation, and as families and individuals.
” During this festive season, we heard citizens’ complaints about the cost of food items and citizens’ diminished purchasing power.
” We would like to assure Nigerians that we have heard their cries, and are working assiduously to arrest the high food inflationary trend that has been on for some time,” he said.
The minister expressed happiness that the ministry has the full backing and encouragement of President Bola Tinubu.
” The President has deployed statesmanship in developing pathways to ease our national pains, and set the country on a higher and faster trajectory of growth and development.
” Affordability is one of the critical indices of food security, along with availability, accessibility, sustainability, and nutrition.
” We recognise that food affordability has been impacted by, among others, transportation costs, infrastructure impediments.
” Also, exchange rate volatility, especially with regard to the imported component of our food requirements.
” However, the good news is that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is boosting domestic production of staple crops.
” This has been accelerated with the launch, in November 2023, of the dry season farming, targeting wheat, rice, maize, and cassava.
” We hereby appeal to farmers to continue to heed the expert advice of Extension Service Agents”, he said.
Kyari applauded state governments that have made interventions, in line with Tinubu’s food security agenda.
” We call on all stakeholders in the agriculture and food security sector to be alert to the prospects and opportunities that the New Year presents,” he said.
