Sen. Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, has revealed that the ministry has injected an estimated N309 billion into Nigeria’s economy. This announcement came during his presentation on the sectoral update, marking the first anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.’
Kyari highlighted the remarkable success of the dry season farming initiative, which saw the cultivation of 118,657 hectares of wheat across 15 states. He reported that 107,429 wheat farmers received essential inputs, leading to a production of 474,628 metric tons of wheat. This initiative alone contributed to the significant economic boost. Notably, Jigawa State exceeded its production target by delivering over 50,000 metric tons of wheat, surpassing the initial estimate of 40,000 tons.
Addressing persistent food inflation, Kyari outlined several measures aimed at increasing agricultural productivity. The ministry has distributed 60,432 tons of improved seeds, 887,255 tons of seedlings, 501,726 liters of agrochemicals, 62,328.5 tons of inorganic fertilizer, 1,000 kg of fungicide, and 33,200 pieces of equipment to farmers across various value chains.
In terms of livestock production and animal health, the ministry has made significant strides by establishing 6 micro earth dams, 8 boreholes, 164 milk collection centers, 8 cottage feed mills, and 7 livestock centers. Additionally, they have facilitated 14,926,469 animal vaccinations and conducted artificial insemination on 2,095 animals nationwide.
Despite signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with John Deere and Tata Africa to assemble and supply 10,000 tractors and 100 combined harvesters, Kyari acknowledged that the program has not yet commenced several months after the agreement.
On the research and development front, 23 improved crop varieties developed by Nigerian agricultural research institutes were certified and released by the National Varietal Release Committee to local farmers. Furthermore, approximately 3,350 extension agents involved in state agricultural development projects have undergone training to bolster the country’s agricultural extension system.
During a press conference, Kyari, along with Sabi Aliyu, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, expressed confidence in Nigeria’s progress towards achieving food security. They also recognized the challenges posed by foreign exchange issues affecting fertilizer production, noting that the government is in discussions with producers to address these problems.
Regarding the rising cost of tomatoes, Kyari explained that a severe infestation, known as Tomato Ebola or Tomato Leaf Miner, has drastically reduced the availability of tomatoes, contributing to the increased prices.
The ministry’s comprehensive efforts aim to bolster Nigeria’s agricultural sector and ensure food security, reflecting a significant step towards realizing the goals of the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.’
