Military Moves to Guarantee Food Security,  Reclaim Ungoverned Spaces With Establishment of Defence Farms

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Nigerian military has taken a bold step in helping President Bola Tinubu’s administration to actualise its efforts in guaranteeing food security and improving national security.

The military also said that it intends to exert control over ungoverned spaces, contribute significantly to the nation’s gross domestic product through agriculture, improve exports, and create massive employment for the civilian population and military retirees by establishing Defence Farms across the federation.

This move, the military stressed, will not only guarantee food security, improve national security, create massive employment for the army of unemployed in the country, increase GDP through agriculture, expand export potentials, but also deny terrorists, bandits, Kidnappers and other criminal elements free access to ungoverned spaces in the country.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, said this while unveiling the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products Logo at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

He stated that the event signifies not just the unveiling of a logo, but the initiation of yet another initiative aimed at facilitating sustainable food security in the country, adding, “the event is therefore a major turning point in our collective quest for improved national security.”

General Musa said the agricultural sector plays a crucial role in guaranteeing food security, which is requisite for sustainable national security.
“Unfortunately, in recent years, the adverse impact of climate change, environmental degradation, and conflict across some parts of the country has continuously threatened food security, with dire consequences for national security.
“To address this, the Defence Headquarters conceptualised the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products initiative in May 2023, with the aim of supporting the federal government’s efforts to address food security challenges in the country.

“The initiative, which aligns with the ‘People Centric’ policy thrust of my leadership concept, aims to create job opportunities and enhance rural infrastructural development while significantly contributing to food security in the country. Considering the extensive consultation, planning, and preparation made by the Committee thus far, I am optimistic that the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products initiative will have a positive transformative impact on host communities while enhancing national security.
“With similar initiatives replicated across the country, I envision a future characterised by modernised farming techniques, in which the agricultural sector significantly contributes to economic growth and national development.”

To this end, the Defence Chief enjoined all members of the Armed Forces and the public to embrace the laudable initiative and maximise its associated gains.

Earlier in his presentation, the Chairman of the Defence Farms Committee, Major General Isah Abdullahi, said that the motto on the logo, which supports food security, was carefully crafted to depict the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s resolve to provide an enabling environment for food production in the country.

He stated that this is in consideration of the fact that a resilient food system underpins our domestic stability, fortifies economic sustainability, and serves as a strategic asset in national development.

He added that the logo embodies the Defence Farms’ mission to provide high-quality food for food security and to reposition large-scale agriculture as a business rather than for subsistence.

According to him, “Defence Farms and Agro-Allied Products hopes to catalyse additional investment into agriculture by securing our vast arable land for large-scale agriculture, thereby setting Nigeria firmly on the path to food sufficiency and ultimately, food export.

“The Defence Farms and Agro-Allied Products is poised to cultivate over 200,000 hectares of arable land across the country, commencing with 15,000 hectares in its pilot project at Gurara in Kaduna State.

“The scheme would cover the employment of civilians and ex-servicemen, initial land preparation, procurement of tractors, and farm input support items. The bulk of the funds are expected to be raised through Presidential Intervention support from collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, its relevant organs, such as the Department of Farm Input and Support Services and National Agricultural Development Funds, as well as private investors.”