Agric PS says no cause for alarm on food security submit, other programs

The Permanent Secretary (PS), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( FMAFS) Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe has allayed fears being expressed on funds availability to hold the food security summit and 2023 National Council on Agriculture ( NCA) Meeting slated for this November.

Dr. E. A. Umakhihe  said this against the backdrop of funds scarcity to implement the planned programs towards achieving the Renewed Hope of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Agriculture, saying the findings are mere excuses far from the reality of holding the programs.

Food Farm News finding revealed that money to execute the widely publicised food submit program slated for this November by the FMAFS  for the sector's renewed hope may be hindered if funds expected are not released.

But the PS has pointed out that the findings are mere excuses as far as the preparation towards the event is concerned.

Also to be likely affected by fund scarcity according to our finding is the Council Meeting on Agriculture ( NCA) slated for Akwa-Ibom in the same month. The NCA meeting is the apex Agricultural body where policies and decisions are taken for the year's foods production, and is always headed by the Agric Minister with other states commissioners along other major stakeholders in both private and public sectors.

Recall that the Minister of FMAFS, Sen. Abubakar Kyari had in last month press briefing said that the ministry would hold food security summit together with NCA meeting to reposition the sector for better sustainable food productivity and appropriate policies respectively.

Although preparation according to our sources seems to be ongoing underground towards meeting the time fund will be made available within the month.

Responding to funds availability,  the PS to the Ministry said he counted all these as speculations saying that " You are already making excuses for us foodfarm! I still believe we are on course my brother "