· * Decries Herdsmen/Farmers Crises
 |
| Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri |
The
Federal Government has assured its total commitment to the zero hunger goals by
the year 2030 and promised to increase the present tempo of strong agricultural
activities in the country to attain this national objective.
The
Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken
Lokpobiri gave the commitment yesterday, while speaking at a Symposium to mark
the 2018 World Food Day Celebration in Abuja the Federal Capital with the
theme: "Our Actions are Our Future: A Zero Hunger World by 2030 is
Possible,"
Lokpobiri
who stated that the goal of zero hunger
by 2030 is achievable opined that “in the next 12 years, Nigeria will join the
League of Nations who would be able to feed the world; but added that this
projection can only be attained if all Nigerians see and treat Agriculture as
serious business rather than mere occupation.
The
Minister also wanted Nigeria to take advantage of its rapidly growing
population to seriously invest in agriculture with the private sector taking
the lead in this national project; while the Government provides the enabling
environment since it is proven that Government is not proficient in business
management.
Meanwhile,
Lokpobiri has also challenged all state
governments in the country to commit at least five percent of their annual
budgets to agriculture, to demonstrate their collective determination to grow
agriculture and upscale our national productivity.
The
Minister who was full of praises for Kebbi, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Ogun, Benue states
etc for their huge investments in agriculture urged other states of the
federation to emulate the worthy examples of these states; saying the goal of
achieving the objective of attaining zero hunger for our beloved country can
only be achieved through collaboration and collective efforts of the three arms
of government and the private sector.
According
to the minister, if Nigeria is able to feed itself, it would have been able to
solve the issue of hunger and malnutrition in the black race and by extension
Africa, which is, "a bold step in guaranteeing food for all in the
world."
While
observing that the world has made remarkable progress in the fight against
hunger, a development that has led to decline in the number Of the poor and the
hungry people in the world, he however regretted that this success is being
threatened by high growth in global population.
LoLokpobiri
also expressed great concerns on threats militating against the country's quest
to achieve self sufficiency in food production, because of the current crises
between herdsmen and farmers in some northern parts of the country.
"Prolonged
crisis in some crises points especially incessant clashes between herdsmen and
farmers especially in the North Eastern part of the country are also serious
issues of concern," the minister said.
The
Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in
Nigeria, Suffyan Koroma stated that the FAO, for the past forty years in
Nigeria has been working closely with the Government of Nigeria to advance
sustainable agriculture and food systems, with great optimism towards achieving
Zero Hunger in the country.
According
to him, achieving Zero Hunger is FAO’s shared commitment, which can be achieved
through a right based approach..
He
appreciated the continued commitment of the Government of Nigeria in forging
strong partnerships for nourishing, nurturing and growing a prosperous and peaceful
Nigeria where all Nigerians can thrive and contribute to nation’s
socio-economic development. Activities
marking this year's World Food Day will be rounded off on Tuesday 16th
October 2018 with an Agricultural Show.
The
World Food Day is celebrated each year on 16th of October in commemoration of
the establishment of the United Nations Organization in 1945. Events are
organized in over 150 countries across the world, to attract global attention
and promote awareness as well as marshal action plans internationally to ensure
food security and nutritious diets for all making it one of the most celebrated
days of the UN calendar.
Kemi Ogunmakinwa Mrs
For
Director of Information
No comments:
Post a Comment