The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing food security with new initiatives to boost agricultural productivity and mechanization. Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, announced this during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
Abdullahi highlighted food security as a key focus under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He noted the state of emergency declared on food security last year due to poor agricultural performance and called for urgent action to revamp the sector.
The minister emphasized the critical role of food security in ensuring adequate nutrition, driving economic growth, alleviating poverty, and promoting gender inclusivity. He described the agricultural sector as central to Nigeria’s economy and essential for sustainable development.
To modernize farming practices, Abdullahi announced the rollout of several mechanization programs, including the Greener Up Initiative Mechanization Programme and partnerships with Belarus and Brazil. These initiatives aim to provide advanced farming tools to replace traditional methods.
Abdullahi revealed that the Greener Imperative Project, a large-scale mechanization effort supported by Brazil, will commence in January 2025 following directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This project aims to transform Nigeria’s agricultural machinery and increase food production efficiency.
The minister expressed confidence that these programs would address the challenges facing Nigerian farmers, improve agricultural outputs, and strengthen food security nationwide.
