The Federal government is targeting 31 million metric tonnes of grains next year.
The aim is to combat food inflation, create jobs, reduce poverty and respond to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s emergency on food security.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, stated this in Abuja at the opening of the Sixth Seed Connect Conference and Exhibition.
Its theme is: “Global declaration of food emergency – the role of the seed industry and ensuring Africa’s food and nutrition security.”
Abdullahi said the ministry has outlined a series of critical pathways to solve the food security challenges.
These pathways, he said, are streamlined into short-term, intermediate and long-term actions.
He added that the farmers are being supported with quality seeds for rice, maize, soybean and other inputs at a subsidised rate.
The minister said the National Agricultural Development Fund will support production and critical agricultural infrastructure and provide financial leverage for farmers.
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According to him, the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) would be refocused to increase sensitisation, surveillance and enforcement of its laws toward curbing infiltration of uncertified seeds that rob farmers of their value for money.
He added that the NASC will be empowered to carry out its mandate through strategic reforms and budgeting attached to KPIs which is in line with the goal of the administration.
Acting Director General, NASC, Dr. Ishiak Khalid, said: “This year’s event has been dedicated to the global declaration of food emergency and the role of Africa’s seed sector in creating a sustainable food system to ensure access to nutritious and affordable food both now, and in the future.”
Khalid stated that NASC will be convening a national seed planning summit for the 2024 planting season and how to achieve the national seed requirement.
Netherland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Wouter Plomp, said: “The Netherlands – Nigeria Seed Partnership – a model of collaboration built on knowledge exchange, has been instrumental in advancing Nigeria’s seed sector, fostering the exchange of expertise, technology and best practices.”