By Abdullahi Lukman
In a renewed effort at boosting agricultural production and food security, the federal government has announced plans to ramp up the distribution of agricultural inputs and implements to farmers across Nigeria over the next couple of months.
The initiative, named “Operation Empty the Store,” was outlined by Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, during the opening of a workshop for agriculture correspondents in Abuja on Monday.
Dr. Ogunbiyi emphasized that the program would be an essential part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the agricultural sector, increase food production, and improve the livelihoods of farmers nationwide.
He explained that the initiative aims to ensure that agricultural equipment and inputs are effectively distributed from government stores to farms where they are most needed.
“It may interest you that the ministry will soon begin distributing agricultural inputs and implements to all stakeholders,” Ogunbiyi remarked.
“Arrangements are already in place, and within the next couple of months, we will begin the distribution process.
“When I assumed office, I announced that we would embark on ‘Operation Empty the Store,’ and this operation is centered on clearing out the equipment and resources from our warehouses.
“These inputs are not meant to remain in storage but should be put to use on farms to increase productivity,” he said
The permanent secretary stressed that the successful execution of the operation would significantly enhance the capacity of Nigerian farmers to meet the growing demand for food and to contribute more effectively to the nation’s agricultural output.
He noted that the distribution of inputs and implements would be part of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture’s broader efforts to drive agricultural transformation, making farming a key pillar of Nigeria’s economy.
Ogunbiyi also pointed out that the distribution of these agricultural resources is just one component of the government’s wide-ranging agricultural reforms aimed at increasing food production, reducing hunger, and improving food security in Nigeria.
He emphasized the importance of addressing issues of malnutrition and hunger by enhancing food availability through more efficient agricultural practices.
The permanent secretary noted that the workshop, titled “Building Strong Partnership with the Media for Food Security,” was a critical initiative for fostering better communication and collaboration between the government and the media.
The event, which was attended by key agricultural correspondents from across the country, aimed to provide journalists with an update on the ministry’s ongoing programs, projects, and initiatives.
Ogunbiyi stressed the importance of the media in disseminating information about the government’s efforts to ensure food security.
“It is essential for us to communicate clearly with Nigerians and the world about the efforts being made to achieve food and nutrition sufficiency in our country.
“This will help to reduce hunger, starvation, and malnutrition,” he explained.
“We will continue to partner with the media to carry the message of the current administration on food security and help educate and sensitize farmers, stakeholders, and the general public,” the permanent secretary said.
The workshop also provided an opportunity for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to highlight recent developments and outline key goals for the upcoming agricultural season.
Mr. Isaac Buba, the National Project Coordinator of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP), was also present to discuss the implementation of the second phase of the 2024/2025 dry-season rice production initiative.
Buba revealed that preparations were underway for the distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers in Southern Nigeria, with the distribution slated to begin from January 1 to February 2025. For Northern Nigeria, the distribution is scheduled for February 1 to March 2025.
The NAGS-AP platform, which leverages ICT for distribution, aims to streamline the process, ensuring that agricultural inputs are delivered directly to registered farmers with full transparency and accountability.
Buba emphasized that the use of digital tools would enable more efficient monitoring of the impact of the distributed inputs and help in evaluating the success of the program.
“The goal of NAGS-AP is to ensure that farmers across Nigeria have access to the resources they need to succeed in their agricultural activities,” Buba said, stressing, “The platform promotes transparency in the allocation of inputs and enables easy access for farmers to obtain the tools and resources required for higher yields.”
He said the government’s initiative aligns with its long-term vision to make agriculture the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and ensure food security for its citizens.
The combination of direct support for farmers, strategic distribution of inputs, and effective media engagement is expected to have a significant impact on Nigeria’s agricultural landscape in the coming years.
