The Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Abubakar Kyari, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on food security has had a profoundly positive impact on the nation’s agricultural sector. Speaking to the press in Maiduguri, Kyari stated that food security remains one of the top priorities of the administration, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring Nigerians have access to affordable and nutritious food.
According to the Minister, Nigerian farmers currently produce about 80% of the nation’s food needs, a testament to the sector’s potential. The food security program has helped strike a balance between demand and supply, ensuring that both consumers and farmers benefit. With this balance, consumers can access food at reasonable prices, while farmers operate profitably, boosting their livelihoods and encouraging increased production.
Some key achievements of the program include:
- Increased food production: The state of emergency declaration has led to a significant increase in food production, reducing reliance on imports and enhancing national food security.
- Improved farmer livelihoods: By ensuring farmers operate profitably, the program has improved the standard of living for farming families and encouraged more people to take up farming.
- Enhanced food affordability: The balance between demand and supply has made food more affordable for consumers, reducing the financial burden on households.
- Economic growth: The agricultural sector’s growth has contributed to the nation’s economic development, creating new opportunities for economic expansion.
The Minister expressed optimism that the program would continue to yield positive results, further strengthening Nigeria’s food security and contributing to the nation’s economic growth. He commended President Tinubu for prioritizing food security and pledged the ministry’s commitment to working tirelessly to ensure the program’s success.
