The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on
Thursday, boasted that his regime has recorded what he called “notable
achievements” in five years.
Specifically on agriculture, he said the sector has
continued to grow despite the impact of COVID-19 because of his regime’s
targeted policies.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and
Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President spoke at a meeting of the National Food
Security Council held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The statement was titled “Despite COVID-19, we’ve been able
to avert food crisis, says President Buhari.”
Adesina quoted the President as saying that the COVID-19
pandemic exposed the level of preparedness of nations to shocks of food
security.
According to him, Buhari explained that the Federal
Government’s wisdom in promoting self-sufficiency over the years helped
significantly in averting a food crisis.
He said there was the need for more efforts to increase food
production and self-sufficiency, assuring that the Federal Government will
continue to promote policies that favour investments in the agricultural
sector.
The President, “The coronavirus pandemic has illustrated
more than any event in recent history how countries must strive harder to
protect food systems.
“It has also exposed the limits of dependency on other
countries.
“In the last five years, we have recorded notable
achievements. Despite the decline in GDP by 6.1 per cent in Q2 of 2020 as a
direct result of coronavirus, the agricultural sector continued to grow because
of government targeted policies.’’
Adesina also qouted the President as commending Nigerian
farmers for contributing to the stability in food security.
He said the favourable rainy seasons should serve as
encouragement for many to take up farming as a vocation.
“I am pleased to note that most Nigerians are taking
advantage of the opportunities in the agriculture and agric-business sector.
“I want to assure you that this government will continue to
support these initiatives and many more to come,” the President said.
Buhari also said efforts would be channeled to innovative
ways of farming that will guarantee maximum output.
“To protect agricultural investments and boost confidence to
our farmers we have deployed thousands of agro-rangers and integrated rural
communities to the formal economy by extending access to credit and inputs to
rural farmers and building feeder roads.
“We have invested in building our strategic grain reserves
in recent years which we recently released significant quantities to cushion
the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to vulnerable households and
industries,’’ he added.
Buhari sympathised with farmers and families that lost loved
ones to recent floods in the country, assuring them hat the government will
support those that were affected.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com