By Stella Odueme
The Ministers of Water Resources and Sanitation, and Agriculture and Food Security have strengthened their collaboration to end food shortages in the country.
This development followed a closed-door meeting between the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, and his colleague from Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari. The meeting was also attended by the Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Rt Hon. Bello Mohammed Goronyo Esq., and the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Mohammed, as well as members of the private sector on Tuesday in Abuja.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, explained that they had discussed extensively on how best the two ministries can synergize to end hunger and address food shortages and inflation in the country.
According to the Minister, it was with a view to achieving food security that the two ministries were collaborating to scale up food production in the country.
He told newsmen that his Ministry has abundant water for irrigation farming, land, and technical expertise, stressing that what was needed is the provision of seedlings and other inputs to enable his Ministry to cultivate its five hundred thousand irrigable lands across twelve River Basins and make food available and affordable for citizens.
Prof. Utsev further said they had, during the meeting, set up a Ministerial Joint Action Committee on Food Security involving the private sector to effectively deploy all the resources available for mechanized farming.
On his part, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, disclosed that his ministry will continue to provide inputs and other farming incentives, as well as the necessary support needed to enhance food production in the country.
He assured Nigerians that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is committed to ensuring enough food for citizens and addressing other challenges facing the country.
Speaking on behalf of the private sector, Mr. Magaji of African Farmer expressed satisfaction that the Federal Government has given them the opportunity to contribute towards achieving food security in the country.
He promised to make a significant change in the agricultural sector before the end of the year.
