The Federal government is targeting 31 million metric tonnes of grains in 2024 aimed at combating food inflation, reducing poverty, and creating jobs in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s emergency on food security.
Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security disclosed this in Abuja at the opening of the Sixth Seed Connect Conference and Exhibition with a theme: “Global Declaration of Food Emergency – the Role of the seed industry and Ensuring Africa’s food and nutrition security.”
Abdullahi said the ministry has outlined critical pathways to solve the food security challenges in the country including short-term, intermediate, and long-term plans.
The minister added that the farmers are being supported with quality seeds for rice, maize, soybean, and other inputs at a subsidized rate, while the National Agricultural Development Fund will support production and critical agricultural infrastructure and provide financial leverage for farmers.
“The National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) would be refocused to increase sensitization, surveillance, and enforcement of its laws toward curbing infiltration of uncertified seeds that rob farmers of their value for money.
“The NASC will be empowered to carry out its mandate through strategic reforms and budgeting attached to KPIs which is in line with the goal of the administration,” he said.
Acting Director General, NASC, Dr. Ishiak Khalid, said the council will be convening a national seed planning summit for the 2024 planting season on how to achieve the national seed requirement.
“This year’s event has been dedicated to the global declaration of food emergency and the role of Africa’s seed sector in creating a sustainable food system to ensure access to nutritious and affordable food both now, and in the future,” Khalid said.
In a remark, Netherland’sthe Ambassador to Nigeria, Wouter Plomp, said: “The Netherlands – Nigeria Seed Partnership, a model of collaboration built on knowledge exchange, has been instrumental in advancing Nigeria’s seed sector, fostering the exchange of expertise, technology and best practices.”
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