The federal government says it remains committed to enhancing food and nutrition security as it prepares farmers for the 2024 wet season farming in the country.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, gave this assurance in Abuja while giving an update on the government’s preparation for wet season farming.

He said the federal government was boosting domestic production of staple crops to enhance food security in the country.

Mr Kyari said the ministry would distribute 2.15 million bags of assorted fertilisers donated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to Nigerian farmers.

He said the fertilisers donated by CBN comprised UREA, NPK and SSP, valued at over N100 billion.

“Well, we have a donation of 2.15 million bags of assorted fertilisers from the CBN, and we are in the process of taking possession of those (fertilisers).

“We will start distributing these fertilisers, especially in areas where wet season farming has begun,” he said.

Mr Kyari also revealed that 500 tractors assembled by the John Deere Group were donated to the ministry to improve mechanised farming, increase production, and achieve food and nutrition security.

He said the initiative aimed to catalyse farming activities and nutrition security in line with President Bola Tinubu’s emergency declaration on food security.

The minister reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to improving food and nutrition security through mechanisation.

He said the tractors would be accessible, available and affordable for small, large-scale, and cooperative farmers nationwide.

The federal government, in February, empowered smallholder farmers in the 36 states and FCT with agricultural inputs to enhance productivity, improve resilience and embrace sustainable practices. 

(NAN)