The Federal Government of Nigeria has allocated N1.6bn towards an intervention fund aimed at combating ginger blight, a disease impacting one of the country's key agricultural exports. Fredrick Nwabufo, Special Assistant on Public Engagement to President Bola Tinubu, revealed the initiative on his X handle, highlighting it as a measure to fortify the nation's food supply and agricultural resilience.
According to Nwabufo, this initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy that includes the provision of N1.6bn to support affected farmers, alongside the distribution of pesticides and fungicides to combat the pest infestation threatening the ginger crop. He underscored the importance of agriculture and food security within President Tinubu's policy framework, emphasizing food as a fundamental necessity.
He elaborated on food security as a cornerstone of national security, with the government's role extending to safeguarding the populace from hunger. The N1.6bn intervention aligns with various measures undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to ensure immediate and long-term agricultural sustainability. These measures aim to maintain Nigeria's status as a leading global ginger producer.
Nwabufo also mentioned the government's broader initiatives to boost food production and stabilize prices, including the suspension of duties on key food commodities and the implementation of a dry season farming initiative. This initiative has supported over 107,429 farmers, cultivating 118,657 hectares of wheat and producing 474,628 metric tonnes of the crop. Additionally, the distribution of improved seeds and fertilizers, alongside the empowerment of farmers across numerous crop production clusters, has been highlighted.
The administration's efforts extend to livestock production and health, with significant distribution of vaccines and the establishment of veterinary health centers. Training on biosecurity and antimicrobial resistance is underway for livestock farmers, as part of the government's holistic approach to securing a sustainable food future for Nigeria.
Nwabufo's statements reinforce the administration's commitment to informing citizens about ongoing efforts to ensure food security across the nation.
Source: PUNCH