By Abdulkareem Haruna

ABUJA, NIGERIA — In a wide-ranging press briefing on today, Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, laid out a comprehensive four-year plan for boosting Nigeria’s agriculture and food security sector.

The initiative, a key part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to enhance agricultural productivity, adopt digital solutions, and bolster the sector’s resilience to challenges.

“Our focal areas are built on integration, sustainability, and resilience to our challenges,” said Senator Kyari. “These span the immediate, short, medium, and long term.”

Long-term actions, set for 2024-2027, include developing a national agricultural database, repositioning the Universities of Agriculture, encouraging private sector participation in cold chain systems, and reforming Federal Colleges of Agriculture.

“We are committed to working with relevant MDAs, private sector and international development partners to co-create functional digital transformation platforms,” Kyari stated. “These will facilitate data-driven precision farming, climate resilience, and smart agricultural practices including e-extension services.”

In addition, the Minister announced the intention to establish new agro-tourism hubs, review existing curriculum for all fields of agriculture, and establish Animal Disease Free Zones. He also outlined a plan to strengthen the Community of Practice for knowledge exchange, promote agricultural mechanization enterprises, and establish multipurpose Input Resources & Communication Centres across the country.

In a major announcement, Kyari revealed that the First National Agriculture and Food Security Summit is scheduled for November 2023. Chaired by President Tinubu, the summit aims to enlist support from all actors in Nigeria’s agriculture and food security space.

“The summit is programmed to create the future of affordable and safe nutritious foods while focusing on farmers’ welfare,” Kyari explained. “President Tinubu is expected to make specific declarations and outline the expected call to action for all the stakeholders.”

In conclusion, the Minister thanked President Tinubu, the Honourable Minister of State Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi CON, and various stakeholders for their support in these developmental efforts.

“With your massive support, we are set to change the narrative of our agriculture and food security sector for the benefits of our renewed food security and welfare of Nigerian farmers,” he said.