Abubakar Kyari, the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, officially took up his position on Monday. He made a strong commitment on behalf of the Federal Government to ensure both the nourishment of the Nigerian populace and the export of food to generate foreign exchange for the nation.
Kyari emphasized that these goals were central to his team’s objectives, underlining that Nigeria possesses the potential to attain these aspirations. Speaking at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Abuja, he shared his thoughts during a brief reception held by the ministry, which was attended by both him and Minister of State, Aliyu Abdullahi.
He expressed, “We are acutely aware of the challenges confronting us at this time. The issue of hunger stands out as a significant concern within our country. When I refer to hunger, I am also encompassing the larger subject of food. There are multifaceted obstacles to ensuring food security, including factors like insecurity, flooding, and other pertinent issues.”
Kyari further acknowledged the pivotal role of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and the political determination in confronting these challenges, adding, “While the task ahead is substantial, it is by no means insurmountable. Our primary objective is not only to safeguard and provide sustenance for our nation but also to leverage our inherent potential to export food.”
In tandem with the ministers, Prof. Babagana Zulum, the Governor of Borno State, who accompanied them to the ministry, articulated the necessity for comprehensive and sustainable long-term strategies to address the prevailing food security concerns in Nigeria.
Zulum stressed the imperative to invest in commercial agriculture and adopt contemporary farming techniques such as irrigation and green technology, among other innovative approaches. He stated, “The current approach of offering temporary assistance to the Nigerian populace will not offer lasting solutions. We must seek out enduring strategies that can effectively tackle the issues of insecurity and food scarcity in Nigeria.”
He further emphasized the urgency of responding to the rapid growth of the population alongside the diminishing food supply. Zulum concluded, “In the absence of proactive measures, these problems will persist. Our path forward lies in prioritizing investments in commercial agriculture, modern agricultural practices, irrigation, green technology, and emerging technologies. These measures are our sole solution to a scenario where our population is expanding exponentially while our food resources dwindle.”
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