Food Security: Nigeria Expresses Concern Over 50 Million Uncultivated Hectares of Arable Land

Hauwa Ali

The federal government of Nigeria has expressed deep concern over the approximately 50 million hectares of uncultivated land out of the country’s total 80 million hectares of arable land.
Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, emphasized the need for all Nigerians to actively participate in crop planting, aligning with the government’s policy on ensuring food security.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday, at the National Assembly, Senator Abdullahi highlighted the significance of food security within the 8-point agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration. He underscored the multifaceted benefits derived from achieving food security, including the potential to combat corruption. The minister explained that hunger often leads some individuals to engage in corrupt practices and criminal activities, and by securing their access to food, the propensity for such behaviors could be significantly reduced.
Senator Abdullahi urged Nigerians to embrace the government’s initiative by cultivating crops wherever they reside. He reiterated the government’s commitment to cultivating a substantial portion of the uncultivated arable land in the country.

Presently, out of the 70-80 million hectares of arable land, only 34 million hectares are under cultivation. This situation presents a considerable opportunity for both the government and citizens to explore farming, ultimately contributing to enhanced food security nationwide.