Agriculture
Nigeria’s food system insecure, vulnerable to shock -FGN
The food system in Nigeria is weak and vulnerable to shock, the Federal Government has said.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mustapha Shehuri, disclosed this while speaking at the Feed Nigeria Summit 2021 in Abuja on Monday.
At the summit, which had the presence of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, as well as local and international government officials, Shehuri stated that the agriculture ministry was re-examining the weak link.
Shehuri, who spoke through the Director, Federal Department of Agriculture, Karima Babaginda, said, “There is no doubt that the current Nigeria food system is weak and vulnerable to shock.
“The summit, no doubt will assist the ministry to re-examine the weak link to strengthen it for an agricultural system that will work for Nigeria and stabilise the country’s food security.”
He said the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was determined to create a functional food system that would guarantee all citizens unrestricted access to quality and safe food.
Shehuri said the FMARD was carrying out intervention programmes in areas of agricultural livelihood and support, food safety and provision of infrastructure in different ecological areas to strengthen the weak food system in Nigeria.
He noted that several empirical reports and findings had indicated that per capita production of cereals, root and tuber crops were on the increase in Nigeria.
“However its sustainability to support the exponential population growth requires extreme intervention from all major stakeholders,” the minister stated.
He added, “For a sustainable food system, we must rise to overcome the challenge of poor quality food supplies, hunger, malnutrition and improper food habit of promoting food wastage. Indeed the food consumption pattern must change to reduce food waste.”
On his part, Nanono confirmed the position of Shehuri but expressed optimism that the country would address this weakness, as he noted that the government was working hard to halt the importation of sugar in Nigeria in two years.
“It is important to note at this point that our food systems architecture remains weak and vulnerable to shocks. We are, however, committed to continuing to work to support key-value chain activities,” Nanono stated.
The minister said the value chain activities include input distribution, farm production, processing, distribution and marketing, adding that this would be done by providing better coordination and infrastructural support.
The Borno Government has announced the creation of Ministry of Livestock and Fishery Development to align its
Development strategy with Federal Government initiatives, and boost the state’s economic potential.
Gov. Babagana Zulum made the announcement on Tuesday during the swearing in of two commissioners at the council chambers of the Government House.
Zulum underscored the importance of livestock and fisheries as vital sectors with untapped revenue potential.
He emphasised that the new ministry would focus on high-yield livestock breeds, milk production and fisheries, targeting both domestic consumption and export opportunities.
The governor said that “no state government can make substantial money in livestock alone, but we believe with the right investment and political will, the sector can generate significant revenue.”
He said that the growing demand for milk by yogurt companies and the proximity of Maiduguri to Asian and Arab markets, are great opportunities for dairy exportation.
The governor, therefore, assigned the Deputy Governor, Dr Umar Kadafur, to oversee the activities of the new ministry, citing his practical experience and passion for livestock development.
He said “livestock development is not just about academic qualifications, it is about practice and the deputy governor has demonstrated capability in that regard.”
According to him, the ministry will prioritise procuring high-yielding livestock varieties, enhancing milk production and creating sustainable rural projects to support
Local communities.
He said that projects in Mafa, Gajiram and in Southern Borno will soon be launched under the new ministry’s purview.
The governor urged civil servants and ministry personnel to take ownership of the new initiative, adding that the ministry’s success would contribute to the states
Long-term economic stability and self-reliance.
The Port Harcourt Refinery, managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) through the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC) has commenced operations after undergoing rehabilitation and modernisation.
The refinery with 210,000 bpd refining capacity located at Alesa, Eleme, in Port Harcourt, comprises two operational units which were established in 1965 and 1989.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the old plant refines a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day (bpd), while the new plant refines 150,000 bpd.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government, under former President, Muhammadu Buhari, had in March 2021 secured a 1.5 billion dollars loan to rehabilitate the facility which contract was awarded to an Italian firm, Tecnimont S.P.A, a subsidiary of Maire Tecnimont Group.
NAN) reports that Malam Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd. is leading the team to inspect the first lifting of petroleum product from the facility after its rehabilitation.
Alia appoints head of agric company, others
Gov. Hyacinth Alia has approved the appointment of Mr. Donald Aorkwagh Akule as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Benue State Agricultural Development Company (ADC).
The governor also approved the appointment of Dr Aondoakaa Asambe as Principal Special Assistant (PSA) on Livestock Development and Animal Transboundary Disease Control.
The appointments were announced in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sir Tersoo Kula, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi on Friday.
According to the statement, the governor also appointed Mr Abraham Agogo as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Community Mobilisation.
The statement added that the appointments take immediate effect.
It said that Akule brings over 15 years of experience in agricultural systems, community development, research and development, and food processing.
He holds a B.Sc. in Food Science and Technology from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, and is a Certified Fellow in Agricultural Systems Development under USAID and Lagos Business School.
Meanwhile, Asambe, a member of the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association and a registered veterinary surgeon with the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, has been a lecturer at Federal University, Dutsima, for the past 12 years.
He holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi (now Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi).
He also holds a postgraduate degree in Food Animal Medicine at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
OISD Empowers Teachers with Digital Literacy and AI Skills to Revolutionize Education in Nigeria
Commission, journalists partner to revamp water sector in Kaduna
2 ladies docked for allegedly obtaining money by fraud
Facebook, Instagram Temporarily Allow Posts on Ukraine War Calling for Violence Against Invading Russians or Putin’s Death
Nigeria, Other West African Countries Facing Worst Food Crisis in 10 Years, Aid Groups Say
New York Consulate installs machines for 10-year passport
-
Business3 years ago
Facebook, Instagram Temporarily Allow Posts on Ukraine War Calling for Violence Against Invading Russians or Putin’s Death
-
Headlines3 years ago
Nigeria, Other West African Countries Facing Worst Food Crisis in 10 Years, Aid Groups Say
-
Foreign3 years ago
New York Consulate installs machines for 10-year passport
-
Technology3 months agoZero Trust Architecture in a Remote World: Securing the New Normal
-
Entertainment2 years agoPhyna emerges winner of Big Brother Naija Season 7
-
Business7 months agoNigeria Customs modernisation project to check extortion of traders
-
Business9 months agoWe generated N30.2 bn revenue in three months – Kano NCS Comptroller
-
Headlines6 months agoPhilippines’ Vice President Sara Duterte resigns from Cabinet
