The Federal Government,on Tuesday, expressed commitment to attain the zero hunger goals through its agriculture initiatives, policies, and programmes.
During the flag-off of input distribution to farmers in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari said that since it was the ultimate goal of every nation to attain food security, the present government would do everything humanly possible to attain the feat.
He said that various agricultural inputs for distribution to farmers in the state were part of the government’s sustained efforts to mitigate the food crisis and boost agricultural productivity nationwide.
He said: ‘This administration remains resolute in its commitment to developing the agricultural sector, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the goal of zero hunger, and in improving agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.
‘It is against this backdrop that we reaffirm our determination to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sector for enhanced food security and the eradication of hunger across the nation.
‘To address the underlying challenges hindering our national food security objectives, the present administration has embarked on bold economic reforms, designed to stimulate productive capacity, create jobs, and reduce the cost of living.
‘In addition, targeted humanitarian interventions and emergency responses have been implemented to cushion the effects of the current food crisis across the country’.
The minister said that, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government had already declared food security as a priority, culminating in the declaration of a State of Emergency on Food Security in July, 2023.
‘I wish to assure you that President Tinubu has demonstrated unwavering political will and commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agriculture sector, with food security positioned as one of the central pillars of his administration’s priorities.
‘Since assumption of office, we have undertaken a thorough review of existing programmes and initiatives to identify what needs to change and how best to realign them with the core mandates of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
‘Accordingly, the Ministry has rolled out several programmes and projects aimed at addressing the challenges faced by farmers, while ensuring that food remains available, accessible, and affordable to all Nigerians’, he said.
The minister added that, as part of the administration’s short-term intervention measures, it had designed support mechanisms to make essential farm inputs more affordable and accessible to farmers under a transparent and accountable system.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade thanked President Tinubu for turning around the agriculture sector, and opening up array of opportunities for the Nigerians, especially the rural farmers.
Similarly, a representative of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Pastor Oni Olajide commended the government’s efforts.
