The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, recently announced that an estimated ₦309 billion was injected into the Nigerian economy through harvests in the past year. This initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s ongoing efforts to ensure food security in the country.
The minister made these remarks during the 3rd ministerial sectoral update, which is part of the activities marking the first anniversary of President Tinubu’s administration.
Kyari highlighted several key measures taken to address food and nutrition security. Among these is the launch of dry season farming, which has seen the cultivation of 118,657 hectares of wheat across 15 states. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to promote all-year-round farming.
In addition, the government has procured and distributed 58,500 metric tonnes of milled rice to all states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to help stabilize rising prices. Efforts have also been made to fortify crops with vitamin A micronutrient, enhancing the nutritional content and health value of these commodities.
In response to persistent food inflation, the government has distributed 60,432 metric tonnes of improved seeds, 887,255 metric tonnes of seedlings, and 62,328 metric tonnes of inorganic fertilizers and equipment to farmers. These efforts aim to enhance production across various agricultural value chains.
Furthermore, the minister mentioned the improvement of farmland security through the provision of additional resources to agro rangers and other security agencies.
Senator Kyari also emphasized the government’s initiatives to boost livestock production and animal health, control pests and diseases, strengthen mechanization, and enhance agricultural research activities. He noted that significant efforts have been made to increase the production and processing of soybean, sesame, ginger, and hibiscus for export purposes.
President Tinubu, who assumed office on May 29, 2023, was in Lagos State on Saturday to begin the commissioning of several completed projects under his administration. This event is part of the activities celebrating his first year in office.
A State House press statement titled “President Tinubu Set To Inaugurate Projects To Mark One Year In Office,” signed by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, detailed the upcoming projects to be commissioned.
In Lagos, the President will inaugurate the concrete-paved road to the nation’s major ports in Apapa and Tin Can Island on Sunday. This road reconstruction, which began under the Muhammadu Buhari Administration, was financed by the Dangote Group through its tax credits.
On the same day, President Tinubu will also formally inaugurate, via virtual means, the refurbished Third Mainland Bridge, which has received public praise for its excellent finishing and aesthetic appeal. Additionally, he will commission, virtually, the rehabilitation of 330 roads and bridges across the country.
The highlight of the President’s engagements on Sunday will be the inauguration of the iconic Lagos-Calabar Superhighway, an ambitious project estimated to cost about N15 trillion. This legacy project aims to connect nine coastal states, with Section Two already awarded to Hitech Construction Limited. The President is expected to return to Abuja on Tuesday to continue the series of project inaugurations.
