Agric Ministry, NASENI Partner to Boost Food Security

Gilbert Ekugbe

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) have strengthened their partnership aimed at boosting food security in the country.

The partnership was cemented through an inaugurated committee set up by both agencies to fast track the adoption of new technologies in their quest to boost food production for local consumption as well as export.

Speaking during the inauguration, the Permanent Secretary of FMAFS, Mr. Temitope Peter Fashedemi, stated that strengthening collaboration and partnership between the ministry and NASENI is timely bearing in mind that the modern world is driven by the application of innovation and technology.

Fashedemi noted that the adoption and application of technology in the agricultural sector practices would guarantee the desire of the present administration of achieving food security, job creation, and industrialisation across the country.

He pointed out that the National Agriculture Technology and Innovation (2022-2027) is premised on 10 thematic areas, including stakeholders’ synergy and alignment, knowledge creation and transfer, rapid mechanisation, agricultural development fund establishment, extension service delivery revitalisation and livestock development.

Responding on behalf of the committee, the Director, Federal Department of Agriculture in the Ministry, Mr. Garba Abdullahi, pledged that the committee would work assiduously to achieve its mandate geared towards achieving food and nutrition security.

The committee was charged with examining the programs and projects of the relevant FMAFS’ departments and agricultural research institutes and relevant parastatals as regards the following NASENI specified areas of collaboration: technology transfer, rice storage project (waste to recycle for building materials), assembling of farm implements, spell–out the respective roles, responsibilities and benefits of the parties across the collaboration areas, among others.