By Chinyere Anyanwu
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to achieving food security and economic diversification through agricultural development.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, gave the assurance during a working visit to Jangwa Rice Farm in Ayarkeke, Awe Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, over the weekend.
The 1,300-hectare rice farm serves as a model for youth and women engagement in commercial agriculture, sourcing high-quality seeds from Olam, which also serves as the major off-taker of the paddy.
The minister emphasised Federal Government’s focus on transforming the agricultural landscape to meet the nation’s growing food demand.
He noted that the visit underscores the shared commitment of both federal and state governments towards achieving food self-sufficiency and fostering inclusive agricultural development.
Kyari said, “the Federal Government’s agricultural policies are aimed at closing the country’s food demand deficit and achieving sustainable food systems.”
He added that the Federal Government would work closely with state governments and private sector partners to strengthen Nigeria’s food security programme.
Noting that the objective would only be realised through increased investments in food production by state governments and private sector partners, Kyari said the government’s agricultural policies aim to close the country’s food demand deficit and achieve sustainable food systems through increased investments in food production by state governments and private sector partners.
“The youths are the promise of tomorrow. When we invest in them today, we are securing the future of our nation,” he added.
He further noted that government plans to boost rice production and reduce importation, with Nasarawa State being one of the top rice-producing states and the largest producer of sesame in the country.
Kyari highlighted the shared commitment of federal and state governments towards achieving food self-sufficiency and fostering inclusive agricultural development.
Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, for his part, noted that the initiative had provided opportunities for positive engagement of youths and women in farming, reducing crime rate in the state.
“Nasarawa remains one of the top rice-producing states and is currently the largest producer of sesame in the country.
“This initiative has provided an opportunity to positively engage the youth and women in farming, and it has also reduced crime in the state,” the governor added.
