Food Scarcity: Agric Commissioners From 10 States Meet To Chart Way Forward

Commissioners of Agriculture from 10 states under the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) gathered in Minna to tackle Nigeria’s food scarcity and hunger issues. The meeting, a follow-up to a study trip to Thailand, focused on implementing global best practices in food production. Managing Director Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa emphasized the role of agriculture amid Nigeria’s challenges, highlighting the country’s natural resources and human potential. State commissioners discussed strategies, including introducing early-yielding crops and reducing production costs through mechanization and fertilizer distribution, to enhance food security and stabilize market prices. Source: Daily Trust

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Commissioners of Agriculture from 10 states under the Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) recently convened in Minna to address food scarcity and hunger in Nigeria. The meeting, facilitated by N-HYPPADEC, followed a study trip to Thailand aimed at adopting global best practices in food production. Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, Managing Director of N-HYPPADEC, emphasized the critical role of agriculture amidst Nigeria’s current challenges. He highlighted Nigeria’s agricultural potential, including abundant water resources and fertile land, urging full participation in the agricultural revolution.
Prof. Moses Ogbaje of Benue State outlined strategies to enhance agricultural production swiftly, including promoting short-duration crop varieties and increasing vegetable cultivation. He stressed the urgency due to impending food shortages around June and July. Shehu Mu’azu, Kebbi State’s Commissioner for Agriculture, underscored the need to reduce production costs through mechanization and efficient fertilizer distribution. This, he argued, would stabilize market prices and ensure food security.
The commissioners collectively called for patriotic efforts to mitigate hunger and discouraged unjustified price hikes by marketers. Their commitment to leveraging agricultural machinery and best practices underscores a proactive approach to tackling food insecurity in Nigeria.