A group, Whistle Blowers Forum Against Corruption (WBFAC), has commended the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, over his commitment to food production.
Speaking during a press conference held in Abuja, the National Coordinator of WBFAC, Dr. Olukayode Oladosu, described the Minister as a calm but focused goal-getter who is working assiduously to ensure Nigerians have access to affordable amidst the challenges saboteurs are posing to blackmail the President Tinubu-led administration.
According to Oladosu, the Agric Minister has come up with various policies to boost farmers’ productivity and profitability and has also ensured there is strong synergy between State Governments and the Federal Government in line with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda.
The group which passed a vote of confidence on Senator Kyari, thanked President Tinubu for reposing strong confidence in the Agric Minister, saying his efforts are yielding positive results.
He also pointed out that the Kyari-led Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has attracted investors to the sector, and many programmes are ongoing to address hunger in the land, including collaborations.
The group said that the Minister has been able to recently secure an African Development Bank, AfDB, $134 million loan facility to boost farmers’ seed and grain production. This was made known during the flag-off of the 2024 National Dry Season Farming in Cross River State.
“We are also aware that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has been able to, within one year of the Tinubu-led administration inject N309 billion into the economy, including job creation along various agricultural value chains.
“The Minister in his proactive nature has salvaged ginger farmers from the ravaging ginger blight epidemic by inaugurating the Ginger Blight Epidemic Control Task Force to intervene by proffering lasting solutions.
“The Minister has demonstrated commitment to the implementation of the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Plan, NATIP, which has been instrumental to technological advancements, and empowerment of smallholder farmers across the country.
“The Minister has been able to ensure facilitation of tractors and accessories to farmers across the country as he has engaged tractor manufacturing companies”, the group said.
The group further noted “We are aware of the giant strides of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari within one year of office, which makes him stand tall among his equals based on the doggedness and commitment he has demonstrated with the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi.
“With our careful observation and critical assessment of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, there have been tremendous efforts to galvanize the food system in the country, and with this sheer commitment, we have seen there is a lot of impact in food production.
“Therefore, we commend the Minister for a job well done to ensure food on the tables of Nigerians, and no doubt Mr President in our own words reappointed and retained him to lead the agricultural and food security sector.
“We assure the Minister of our support to ensure food security is achieved under his leadership, and being a grassroots organisation we will ensure real farmers are empowered with the support from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
“We wish him well, and encourage him to improve on what he has achieved so far and touch more lives of Nigerian farmers and investors in the agricultural sector.”
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