The governors of Kwara, Taraba, Ondo, and Kogi states visited the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Abuja, advocating for intensified crop production to combat food inflation and shortages in Nigeria. Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who heads the Nigeria Governors Forum, emphasized the need for a focus on food security, stating that despite challenges, Nigeria’s food remains the cheapest in West Africa. The governors urged collaboration with the ministry, aiming to improve yields, achieve self-sufficiency, and eventually export food to neighboring countries.
Addressing the ministry, Abdulrazaq expressed the governors’ commitment to collaborating on the ministry’s proposed programs, particularly those focused on cassava, rice, and maize. He emphasized the urgency to improve crop yields, especially during the dry season farming, and urged the ministry to concentrate on meeting food production targets.
“We want to get to a stage where we export our food. What we have now is that, because of the devaluation of our naira, Nigeria’s food being exported to West Africa is the cheapest in the region today,” stated Governor Abdulrazaq.
The governors conveyed their acknowledgment of a renewed commitment and engagement from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, distinguishing it from the less productive engagement witnessed over the past four years. They underscored the need to address the current challenges in the agricultural sector collectively.
Minister Abubakar Kyari welcomed the governors’ visit, considering it a significant endorsement of collaborative efforts between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and state governments. Kyari stressed the broader goal of increasing agricultural production throughout the year to combat food inflation, create employment, reduce poverty, foster economic growth, and promote inclusivity.
As Nigeria seeks to fortify its agricultural sector, the coordinated efforts of federal and state authorities become crucial in achieving sustainable food security and addressing the multifaceted challenges affecting the nation’s agricultural landscape.
