Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the
Federal Government’s commitment to transforming agriculture into the backbone
of Nigeria’s economy, describing food security as both a survival imperative
and a matter of global security.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at the FAO National
and Sub-regional Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum, Shettima outlined sweeping
reforms aimed at unlocking the country’s vast agricultural capacity. The
measures include single-window platforms for land registration, improved
agricultural credit systems, large-scale mechanisation, and strategic irrigation
projects.
“Nothing unifies humanity as much as hunger. It is the
great equaliser that reveals our vulnerabilities and the shared fragility of
our existence. Food is not merely a matter of survival; it is a matter of
global security,” he said.
Shettima noted that while Nigeria has the capacity to
irrigate over three million hectares of farmland, less than 10 percent is
currently utilised. He stressed that strategic investment in irrigation
could triple yields, end seasonal dependency, and strengthen resilience against
climate shocks.
The Vice President also highlighted the 2021–2025
National Development Plan, which targets lifting 35 million Nigerians out
of poverty, creating 21 million rural jobs, and achieving food and nutrition
sufficiency. He assured potential investors that regulatory reforms,
public-private partnerships, and agri-tech innovations would position Nigeria
as a competitive destination for agribusiness.
“Nigeria is open for business, and we are ready to
partner with you,” Shettima said. “Let us work hand-in-hand to build a nation
where no one goes to bed hungry, where rural communities are hubs of wealth
creation, and where agriculture is the true foundation of our prosperity.”
Earlier, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar
Kyari described Nigeria’s vast market, arable land, favourable climate, and
digital economy as unique opportunities for investors. Minister of Budget and
Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu added that irrigation and agribusiness
hold significant promise for economic diversification and transformation under
President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Also present was The Gambia’s Minister of Agriculture,
Livestock and Food Security, Dr. Demba Sabally, who commended Nigeria’s
leadership in agriculture and urged other nations to emulate its progress in
rice and cassava value chains.
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