Whistle Blowers Forum hails Agriculture Minister for commitment to food production

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

A group called Whistle Blowers Forum Against Corruption, WBFAC, Thursday, hailed the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, over his doggedness and commitment to food production.

Speaking during a press conference held in Abuja, the National Coordinator, WBFAC, Dr. Olukayode Oladosu, described the Minister as a calm but focused goal-getter who is working assiduously to ensure Nigerians have access to affordable amidst the challenges saboteurs are posing to blackmail the President Tinubu-led administration.

According to Oladosu, the Agric Minister has come up with various policies to boost farmers’ productivity and profitability, and also has ensured there is strong synergy between State Governments and the Federal Government in line with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda.

The group which passed a vote of confidence on Senator Kyari, thanked President Tinubu reposing strong confidence on the Agric Minister, saying his efforts are yielding positive results.

He also pointed out that the Kyari-led Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security have attracted investors to the sector, and many programmes are ongoing to address hunger in the land, including collaborations.

Secure $134m AfDB loan facility to boos farmers’ productivity

The Minister has been able to recently secure an African Development Bank, AfDB, $134 million loan facility to boost farmers’ seed and grain production. This was made known during the flag off of the 2024 National Dry Season Farming in Cross River State.

Injecting N309bn into economy in one year

We are also aware that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has been able within one year of the Tinubu-led administration injecting N309 billion into the economy, including job creation along various agricultural value chains.

Salvaging ginger farmers from impact of ginger blight

The Minister in his proactive nature has been able to salvage ginger farmers from the ravaging ginger blight epidemic by inaugurating the Ginger Blight Epidemic Control Task Force to intervene by proffering lasting solutions.

Implementation of NATIP

The Minister has demonstrated commitment to the implementation of the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Plan, NATIP, which has been instrumental to technological advancements, and empowerment of smallholder farmers across the country.

Efforts on agric mechanization

The Minister has been able to ensure facilitation of tractors and accessories to farmers across the country as he has engaged tractor manufacturing companies.

The group said: “We are aware of the giant strides of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari (CON) within one year of office, which makes him stand tall among his equals based on the doggedness and commitment he has demonstrated with the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi.

“With our careful observation and critical assessment of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, there has been tremendous efforts to galvanize the food system in the country, and with this sheer commitment we have seen there is a lot of impact in food production.

“Therefore, we commend the Minister for a job well done to ensure food on the tables of Nigerians, and no doubt Mr President in our own words reappointed and retained him to lead the agricultural and food security sector.

“We assure the Minister of our support to ensure food security is achieved under his leadership, and being a grassroots organisation we will ensure real farmers are empowered with the support from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

“We wish him well, and encourage him to improve on what he has achieved so far and touch more lives of Nigerian farmers and investors in the agricultural sector.”