The Federal Government of Nigeria has acknowledged the excruciating hunger in the land and has therefore, inaugurated the Presidential Food Systems Coordination Unit, PFSCU, to tackle the suffocating hardship in the country.
This was disclosed by Vice President Kashim Shettima while inaugurating the unit at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, on Friday. He stated that the unit is part of the Tinubu administration’s plan to curb hunger in the country.
The VP also pointed that the presidency has also collaborated with the States, development partners and other critical stakeholders to address the hike in prices of commodities and widespread food insecurity and hunger in the country.
Shettima while addressing the members of the unit and stakeholders emphasized the urgency of the situation.
“The nation is facing a rare food security crisis and the sooner we come to terms with the reality, the better.
“Food insecurity endangers the very basis of our democratic experiment. And this is why all hands have to be on deck. We are in a food security crisis. But it also provides us the opportunity to re-engineer and reposition the nation on a firmer footing,” he said.
Shettima also highlighted the mandate of the PFSCU. He clarified that the unit was not created to usurp the functions of the Ministry of Agriculture.
The VP explained that the urgency and seriousness of the matter at hand require the ideas and resources of all stakeholders.
In their earlier submission, Governors on the Committee outlined plans to be adopted to mitigate food insecurity in the country. These they said include modernize farming practices, increase crop yields, and transform Nigeria into a self-sufficient food producer.
Speaking at the event, the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu said his State is looking to feed the country. He added that his government must modernize agriculture to feed the population.
“We are an agrarian State, and we have stepped up our game,” Governor Otu stated.
On his part, the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, emphasized the need for a coordinated approach. He citied low productivity and population growth as a major challenge to the nation’s food security drive.
The Governor, therefore, called for investment in commercial agriculture, improved funding, and enhanced security for farmers.
The Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago, suggested his State as a pilot for the President’s food security initiative.
He claimed that Niger has invested over N100 billion in agricultural mechanization. With 5,000 tractors and twenty pilot irrigation systems available.
source: Daily Post
Follow us for more news on our WhatsApp News Channels @
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaC505jB4hdZ5Yx9g82U
