On Monday, Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, commenced his duties and expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to not only feed its citizens but also make Nigeria a food exporting nation to generate foreign revenue.
While addressing the attendees at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Abuja, Kyari emphasized that Nigeria has the potential to meet these objectives. This event, organized in honor of Kyari and the Minister of State, Aliyu Abdullahi, saw discussions about pressing concerns such as hunger, food security issues, flooding, and more.
Kyari acknowledged the challenges, stating, “We are aware of the hunger situation in the country, which is also indicative of food security challenges, influenced by factors like insecurity and natural disasters.” He credited the political will, especially that of President Bola Tinubu, as a crucial element in overcoming these challenges. “Our primary focus isn’t just to achieve food security within the nation but to also tap into our export potential,” he added.
Supporting these sentiments, the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, highlighted the need for sustainable long and medium-term strategies to combat food insecurity. He advocated for a shift towards commercial agriculture, leveraging modern techniques such as irrigation and green technology. Zulum expressed concerns over short-term palliatives, saying, “As our population grows rapidly and food supplies decrease, it’s imperative to find lasting solutions, or we’ll continually face these challenges.”
Zulum firmly believes that the future lies in innovative agricultural practices. He concluded by emphasizing that investing in modern agricultural approaches is the most effective solution to Nigeria’s food security issues.
