Ekiti, Kebbi Governors partners FG on food security

The Governors of Ekiti and Kebbi states have on different occasions last week visited the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( FMAFS) on matters of partnership towards sustainable food development in the country.

While Governor Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti state is asking for partnership with the FMAFS on input subsidy availability to his farmers with initiation of key projects towards food security, the Kebbi number citizen, Dr. Mohammed  Nasir Idris has proposed to join in the 2nd phase of dry season farming of maize, rice and cassava just as he wanted Agro inputs to reach genuine farmers.

Speaking during his visit, Abiodun Oyebanji expressed readiness to collaborate with the FMAFS in specific agricultural areas of efficient data collection to identify genuine farmers that merited Agro inputs subsidies saying that " data driven interventions, infrastructure development and skill enhancement for farmers are key to achieving shared goals, job creation, food security, and economic stability"

On Kebbi state, the Governor, Dr. Mohammed Nasir Idris expressed to the Minister,  Sen. Abubakar Kyari his readiness to partner in the second leg of the dry season farming, thereby emphasizing the importance of providing credible farmers' data with accurate geo-reference farmland towards the program.

Responding on the two occasions, the Minister, Sen. Abubakar Kyari reiterated the Federal Government's determination of renewed hope on agriculture and food security adding there is a need for credible data of farmers towards a great success in government interventions for food sustainability to meeting demand and supply of the value chains.

Speaking to the Ekiti state Governor, Sen Kyari said that his ministry is determined to pursue President Tinubu' s agenda on food security in partnership with the states' government adding that FG has unveiled its strategic plans to enhance agricultural production through ensuring food security by addressing supply and demand dynamics of the sector.

The minister  emphasized the ministry's commitment to implementing transparent measures in the distribution of interventions towards achieving the set goal.

Kyari acknowledged the porous nature of the country's borders, leading to the influx of cheaper food from neighboring countries, just as he highlighted the importance of carefully considering economic factors to avoid market distortions.

Also responding to Kebbi state Governor, the minister pointed the need for accurate data and farmland information for the purpose of reaching the right farmers against portfolio ones.