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By Daniel Adaji
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to working closely with state governments and private sector partners to strengthen Nigeria’s food security initiative.
Speaking during a weekend working visit to the Jangwa Rice Farm in Ayarkeke, Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Kyari said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains focused on transforming the agricultural landscape to meet the nation’s growing food demand.
In a statement on Sunday, he explained that the Federal Government’s agricultural policies are targeted at closing the country’s food demand deficit and achieving sustainable food systems.
“The federal government would work closely with the States Government and Private Sector Partners to strengthen Nigeria’s food security architecture,” he stated, adding that this goal could only be achieved through “increased investments in food production by State Governments and Private Sector Partners.”
Kyari noted that the visit “underscored the shared commitment of both federal and state governments towards achieving food self-sufficiency and fostering inclusive agricultural development.”
Addressing farmers on-site, he assured them of the government’s continuous support, stressing, “The youths are the promise of tomorrow. When we invest in them today, we are securing the future of our nation.”
He also pledged “to return after harvest to assess the positive impact of the initiative on the lives of the people.”
According to him, the initiative is expected to encourage more states to invest in agriculture, reduce rice importation, boost local rice production, and serve as a catalyst for the rice value chain.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, who accompanied the minister, described Nasarawa as one of Nigeria’s top rice-producing states and the largest producer of sesame in the country.
He said the initiative has provided opportunities to engage youth and women in farming, while also reducing crime in the state.
The Jangwa Rice Farm, one of Governor Sule’s Legacy Agricultural Projects, spans 1,300 hectares and is divided into three segments—Block A (250ha), Block B (350ha), and Segment C (700ha).
The farm operates as a model of youth and women’s engagement in commercial agriculture. It sources high-quality Faro 45 and Faro 61 seeds from Olam, which also serves as the major off-taker of the paddy.