The Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has outlined several initiatives and priorities aimed at enhancing food production and security in the country.
Senator Kyari told the 46th meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Food Security, held in Calabar, Cross River recently that the initiatives include the delivery of agricultural inputs to farmers, the repositioning of agricultural institutions, and deepening engagement among farmers, herders, and communities.
The Minister for Agriculture and Food Security stated that “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.”
He added that “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 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, as well as growth in the sector.
He urged participants to uphold the principles of inclusiveness, transparency, prioritisation, and partnership for collective agribusiness undertakings in the country.
In his remarks,the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu,represented by his Deputy, Peter Odey, said that the state government would continue to support smallholder farmers with agricultural inputs and financial grants to ensure increase in food production.
He pledged that the state government would continue to partner with the federal government to implement agricultural policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR in the sector geared towards achieving food and nutritional security
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen.Dr Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi stated that 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.
The Council Meeting, which is an annual event, was attended by State Commissioners of Agriculture, Permanent Secretaries, Development Partners, investors, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, amongst others
The highlight of the occasion was awards for farmers and other stakeholders who distinguished themselves in various ways.