Federal ministries are forming alliances to ensure that the obstacles before the objective of the government to bring about sufficiency in food production do not hamper the dream of the country. It is in realisation of this objective to end food shortages in the country that two critical federal ministries have come together. The Ministries concerned are those of Water Resources and Sanitation and Agriculture and Food Security. They announced the formation of an alliance in a closed-door meeting between the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, and his colleague from Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari. The two ministers are confident that their alliance will result in the bid to find lasting solutions to the Nigerian food challenge.
The meeting was also attended by the Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Rt Hon. Bello Mohammed Goronyo Esq., and the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Mohammed, as well as members of the private sector in Abuja.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Utsev, explained that they had discussed extensively on how best the two ministries can synergise to end hunger and address food shortages and inflation in the country. According to the Minister, it was with a view to achieving food security that the two ministries were collaborating to scale up food production in the country. He added that his Ministry has abundant water for irrigation farming, land, and technical expertise, stressing that what was needed is the provision of seedlings and other inputs to enable his Ministry to cultivate its five hundred thousand irrigable lands across twelve River Basins and make food available and affordable for citizens.
A major takeaway from the Abuja meeting is the appreciation of the need for a change from the old method of farming to the modern practices, which are needed to not only assist the ageing and farmers but also encourage the participation of the younger generation in the farming business. Prof. Utsev further said they had, during the meeting, set up a Joint Ministerial Action Committee on Food Security involving the private sector to effectively deploy all the resources available for mechanised farming.
So, how prepared is the ministry of agriculture? The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Kyari, assired that his ministry will continue to provide inputs and other farming incentives. He also pledged to give the necessary support to enhance food production in the country. He assured Nigerians that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is committed to ensuring enough food for citizens and addressing other challenges facing the country.
Now, that surely excites the farmers who had hitherto complained about lack of support from the government and other stakeholders. Speaking on behalf of the private sector, Mr. Magaji of African Farmer expressed satisfaction that the Federal Government has given them the opportunity to contribute towards achieving food security in the country. He promised to make a significant change in the agricultural sector before the end of the year.
