States participating in the Federal Government’s 500,000-hectare farming project will farm crops that will yield them the most competitive advantage, the Presidency stated on Friday.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Temitope Ajayi, said the programme would enlist farmers in mostly northern states where agricultural activities were predominant.
“We have 120,000 hectares for dry season farming for wheat in Jigawa. So, each state will participate.
“States are known for different crops. Most would be in the northern states largely because more farming activities happen there than in the southern states”, he said.
On 13 July 2023, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency on food security as the Federal Government stepped up efforts to tackle food inflation following the removal of fuel subsidy.
President Tinubu also directed that all matters pertaining to food and water availability as well as affordability, as essential livelihood items, be included within the purview of the National Security Council.
This was to be followed by an immediate release of fertilisers and grains to farmers and households to mitigate the effects of the subsidy removal.
In his New Year address to the nation on 1 January, President Tinubu promised to boost food security in 2024.
He reiterated that the government would cultivate about 500,000 hectares of farmlands to combat hunger nationwide.
“I am well aware that for some time now the conversations and debates have centred on the rising cost of living, high inflation which is now above 28 per cent, and the unacceptable high under-employment rate.
“To ensure constant food supply, security and affordability, we will step up our plan to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmlands across the country to grow maize, rice, wheat, millet, and other staple crops”, President Tinubu stated.
The President revealed that the FG had begun the implementation of the food security programme in Jigawa State saying “We launched the dry season farming with 120,000 hectares of land in Jigawa State last November under our National Wheat Development Programme”.
