PRESS RELEASE- FG allays fear of famine, puts sufficient mechanisms to food security in the place

Chief Audu Ogbeh

The Federal Government (FG) has reversed its earlier prescribed famine to the nation saying strategic measures would be put in place to avert the food scarcity against next year.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) Chief Audu Ogbeh giving the assurance in a press statement made available to Food Farm News said the Federal Government has embarked on the buying- back of grains from farmers into the national silos under the Guarantee Minimum Price Programme.

Mr. Tony Ohaeri, Director Information stated in the press release that the minister had disclosed that farmers in some states of the federation had already commenced preparation for the dry season farming so as ensure adequate food security across the country stressed that government is poised to make farming all year round cultivations using dams as irrigation in every part of the country.

Chief Ogbeh said that Nigerians have no reason to panic especially with the recent agreement signed with Morocco that would enhance fertilizer availability through local production for accelerated and increased food production saying that the introduction of soil specific fertilizer application was another strategic measure towards best agronomics practice of achieving higher crops’ yield in the country. 

He stressed that the multiplier effect of 30,000 youth extension workers of the ministry through N- Power scheme of the FG is expected to positively translate into best agronomic practices of farmers at the rural areas saying “the ministry had acquired 110 various capacities of rice mills of 10 tons, 20 tons, 50 tons and 100 tons per day for distribution to cluster farmers to boost rice production and milling capacity in the country as a way of attaining food sufficiency”

The Minister admitted that in the history of Nigeria, the country was witnessing strong purchase of her grains from Nambia and other countries which he regarded as a challenge just as it is beneficial to our farmers in terms of market; he assured that market forces would be stabilized through an increase in local production.