Abuja, 6th August 2024– In a significant move to address the ongoing food shortage and inflation in the country, the Ministers of Water Resources and Sanitation and Agriculture and Food Security have solidified their partnership. This development followed a closed-door meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja between the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, and his counterpart from Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari. The meeting was also attended by Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Barr Bello Mohammed Goronyo, and Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Mohammed, along with private sector representatives.
After the meeting, Engr Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev briefed the press, detailing the extensive discussions on synergizing efforts between the two ministries to combat hunger and food scarcity. He emphasized the critical need for collaboration to enhance food production and ensure food security across the nation.
“The objective of our collaboration is to scale up food production,” Utsev stated. “Our ministry has ample water resources for irrigation farming, available land, and technical expertise. What we need now are seedlings and other farming inputs to cultivate our 500,000 irrigable lands across twelve River Basins, making food both available and affordable for our citizens.”
The ministers have established a Ministerial Joint Action on Food Security, involving the private sector, to effectively utilize all available resources for mechanized farming. This initiative aims to boost food production and mitigate the food crisis in the country.
Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, reiterated his ministry’s commitment to providing necessary inputs, farming incentives, and support to enhance food production. He assured Nigerians of the administration’s dedication under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure sufficient food supply and address related challenges.
Representing the private sector, Mr. Magaji of African Farmer expressed his satisfaction with the Federal Government’s initiative. He pledged the private sector’s commitment to transforming the agricultural sector and achieving food security by the end of the year.
Terhemen Oraduen
Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation