Agic Minister, Aliyu Abdullahi Makes Case For Sustained Investment In Agricultre

The Minister of State for Agriculture, Aliyu Abdullahi, has called for sustained investment in Nigeria’s agricultural sector to close the country’s yield gap and ensure food security.

Speaking at a public hearing by the House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, Abdullahi noted that steady funding and research are vital to improving productivity in key crops such as rice and cassava.

He noted that Nigeria produces about 20 million metric tonnes of rice annually against a demand of 22 million tonnes, with yields averaging 4.5 to 5 tonnes per hectare compared to up to 12 tonnes in other countries.

He expressed support for the three bills under consideration to amend the National Agricultural Development Fund Act, establish a National Farm Settlements Agency, and create the National Rice Production, Processing and Research Institute, Argungu.

Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Bello Kaoje, said that agriculture remains central to inclusive growth and poverty reduction.