Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Clarifies National Food Security Strategy

Strategic Insights -

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has dismissed reports suggesting it adopted prayer sessions as an official strategy to tackle Nigeria's food security challenges. The initiative, announced in an internal memo, was actually a staff welfare program aiming to address anxiety among workers following the recent spate of untimely deaths among management staff. The ministry clarified that this is not an official policy to address agriculture and food security issues, emphasizing that concrete and strategic policy actions are being taken to achieve this goal. The ministry is committed to addressing food security through various initiatives, including procurement of tractors, distribution of fertilizers, and the implementation of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro-Pocket.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has dismissed reports suggesting it adopted prayer sessions as an official strategy to tackle Nigeria's food security challenges.
  • The prayer session was a staff welfare initiative aimed at addressing anxiety among workers following the recent spate of untimely deaths among management staff.
  • The ministry has clarified that this is not an official policy to address agriculture and food security issues.
  • The ministry is committed to addressing food security through various initiatives, including the procurement of over 1,000 tractors for farmer support.
  • The Strategic Grain Reserve and price stabilisation programme involved distributing 42,000 metric tonnes of grains and 58,200 metric tonnes of milled rice.
  • The ministry has also recapitalized the Bank of Agriculture with N1.5 trillion to boost farmer access to affordable finance.
  • The National Electronic Extension Platform (NEEP) is being launched to digitise and enhance agricultural extension services.
  • Strengthening of cooperative societies through training at Federal Cooperative Colleges is also underway.
  • The ministry has allocated $600 million in collaboration with the World Bank for rural road rehabilitation under the RAAMP initiative.
  • Free distribution of critical agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, agro-chemicals, and seeds is also being implemented.
  • The National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP) is providing subsidised inputs to registered farmers.

Statistics:

  • 1,000 tractors procured for farmer support
  • 42,000 metric tonnes of grains distributed through the Strategic Grain Reserve and price stabilisation programme
  • 58,200 metric tonnes of milled rice distributed through the same programme
  • N1.5 trillion invested to recapitalize the Bank of Agriculture
  • $600 million allocated for rural road rehabilitation under the RAAMP initiative
  • 2,150,000 bags of fertilisers donated by the Central Bank of Nigeria
  • Distribution of agro-chemicals and seeds through the free distribution programme

Sources:

  • Statement signed by Ezeaja Ikemefuna on behalf of the Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
  • Internal memo from the Human Resource Management Department, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
  • Renewed Hope Agenda, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.