Minister visits ARCN, NAIC, NAQS, promises support

The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar has assured to give necessary support that will boost food security matters in line with President Mohammadu Buhari’s vision through effective research works application, efficient insurance covers, and sustainable standard monitoring of agricultural produce by the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine (NAQS).

Dr. Abubarka made the promises in a press release signed by the Chief information officer of the ministry, Mr. Ezeaja Ikemefuma on behalf of the press Director and made available.

The release had the minister emphasizing the importance of improved technologies through research works to enhance food security with the right seeds and other agricultural inputs towards diversification of the economy to commercial agriculture in Nigeria.

Dr. Mahmood Abubakar said in the statement that the ministry will be ready to assist and collaborate with Nigerian Agricultural Research Council (ARCN) in pursuing of President Buhari’s dream in the sector by improving on the research outputs towards exportable foods productivity with innovative cropping system, adding that government is working with international organizations to ensure food price reduction with some stimulants.

It was in the statement that the minister at the NAQS headquarters charged the agency to never relent in the delivery of its mandate towards ensuring standard exportation and importation of processed and semi processed agricultural produce through cordial relationship with other government agencies like Nigerian Custom Services (NCS)

Also, at the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), the statement had the Minister saying that the Federal Government will recapitalize the corporation to enhance its service delivery to Nigerian farmers in terms of insurance covers, saying recapitalization is very important for more efficiency.

The press release had Managing Director; NAIC Mrs. Folashade Joseph intimating the minister on the need for farmers to be well protected with insurance policy saying that insurance was the bedrock of any investment.

ARCN Executive Secretary, Prof. Garba Sharubutu pointed in the statement some of the achievements the Nigerian agricultural research institutes have recorded recently in the tackling diseases and pests, saying ‘’ we have changed the direction of research to demand driven for farmers.