The Federal Government targets producing 31 million metric tonnes (MT) of grains in 2024, aiming to combat food inflation, generate employment, and alleviate poverty, as revealed by Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security.
Abdullahi highlighted the necessity for 312,555.69MT of seeds for major crops, anticipating the output of nearly 31 million MT of grains.
To address food security challenges, the Ministry has devised short-term, intermediate, and long-term strategies. Immediate priorities involve certifying available planting material for dry season farming in 2023/2024, with a recent commencement in Jigawa State.
The ministry plans to dedicate over 70,000 hectares to wheat production, supported by the African Development Bank and national agricultural growth initiatives. Abdullahi mentioned the provision of quality seeds for rice, maize, and soybean at subsidized rates, aiming to support farmers.
Moreover, short-term interventions include developing pasture seeds and foliage estates to reduce farmer-herder conflicts, alongside establishing gene bank facilities. These initiatives align with the government’s focus on enhancing agricultural productivity and curbing food inflation while fostering harmony between farmers and herders.
