Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security in Nigeria, has outlined his plans to address the challenges facing farmers and herders in the country.
He emphasized Nigeria’s potential to not only feed its population but also to become a food-exporting nation.
Minister Kyari stated that agriculture is a fundamental component of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and it will receive the necessary attention and support.
He acknowledged the challenges in the agricultural sector, including insecurity, land disputes between farmers and herders, and flooding, but expressed confidence in the political will of the President to address these issues.
Regarding farmer-herder conflicts, Kyari stressed the historical harmony between these groups and expressed his commitment to addressing the societal issues that have contributed to recent clashes.
He recognized the shrinking availability of land and emphasized the need to find solutions that satisfy both herders and farmers.
Kyari also highlighted the importance of political will, as demonstrated by President Tinubu’s declaration of a food emergency in Nigeria.
He emphasized the goal of not only securing food for the country but also exporting food, leveraging Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, emphasized the significance of the ministry’s mission in light of the President’s declaration of a food security emergency.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, expressed optimism about the leadership of Kyari and Abdullahi and the positive impact they would have on the ministry.
These statements reflect the government’s commitment to addressing food security and agricultural challenges in Nigeria, with a focus on increasing production and ensuring harmony between different agricultural stakeholders.