The Federal Government and Niger State have reiterated commitment to ensuring food security and tackling food inflation.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari and the Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago stated this when Mr Bago visited Mr Kyari on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Kyari said that Mr Bago’s visit was an attestation to the strong alliance and synergy the ministry is motivated to build between the federal and state governments to ensure food security and agricultural growth in Nigeria.

He said, “I would like to affirm our sincere optimism for possibilities ahead as we significantly deploy the lessons learnt from the first phase of the Dry Season Food Production. With the largest landmass in the country, abundant water resources and vast arable land, Niger easily offers itself for massive agricultural production.

“We recognise that fundamental governance issues as elsewhere are to translate these agricultural potential into sustainable reality. It is for this reason that we at the ministry of agriculture have consistently canvassed partnership and collaboration between the federal and state governments. We believe that a firm handshake between the two tiers of government at the minimum should produce salutary result in our quest for food security and attendant value chain benefits.’’

He said it was a fact that the agricultural sector in Niger had witnessed outstanding accomplishments since the inception of Mr Bago’s  administration.

Mr Kyari said Niger had rolled out agricultural input support to farmers, including the dry season farming that commenced some days ago.

He said the state also distributed assorted fertilisers to farmers across the local government areas in the state.

He added, “Consistent with these trajectories, it can be said that Niger has assumed an enviable forefront position in the Renewed Hope for Food Security Agenda of President Tinubu. Furthermore, I would like to reiterate that the ministry is fully aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

“We are poised to implement our programmes in line with his vision for the agricultural sector. We are determined to drive agricultural transformation, enhancing productivity and ensuring that our farmers have the necessary support to thrive. Our goal also includes ensuring food security and driving down food inflation.’’

Earlier, Mr Bago said that the state attracted investment in agricultural mechanisation and technology in the last six months.

Mr Bago said that his visit was to further align with Mr Tinubu’s commitment to food security as a major priority.

“We have invested so much in irrigation, now, we’re deploying irrigation pumps, some of them are renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions,” he said.

(NAN)