Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, announced on Monday that the ministry injected approximately N309 billion into the economy over the past year.
Speaking at the ongoing Ministerial Sectoral Update, where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet members are presenting their achievements, Kyari detailed several initiatives aimed at boosting food security. Accompanied by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, he highlighted the government’s efforts, including the launch of dry season farming, which saw 118,657 hectares of wheat cultivated across 15 states and support extended to 107,429 wheat farmers. These efforts collectively injected an estimated N309 billion into the economy.
Additionally, the government released 42,000 metric tons of assorted food commodities to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) from the Federal Government of Nigeria Strategic Food Reserve and 58,500 metric tons of milled rice to mitigate rising prices.
Addressing food inflation, Kyari outlined the distribution of 60,432 metric tons of improved seeds and 887,255 metric tons of seedlings, along with the receipt of 2.15 million bags of fertilizers from the Central Bank of Nigeria for free distribution to farmers. To enhance farmland security, additional resources were provided to Agro Rangers and other security agencies.
In pest and disease control, financial support was given to ginger farmers affected by blight. The ministry also improved 23 crop varieties and distributed 33,200 pieces of equipment to farmers. Furthermore, 14,056,467 doses of vaccines for anthrax, foot-and-mouth disease, and other ailments were procured and distributed across various regions. The government also established health centers and veterinary hospitals, facilitated 14,926,469 animal vaccinations, and enhanced the capacity of livestock farmers.
For mechanization, Kyari announced plans to roll out 10,000 tractors over five years, with at least 2,000 tractors released annually, complete with implements and accessories.
