Minister Vows to Overcome Flood Crisis: ‘We Will Meet Our Food Security Target Despite the Losses,’ Says Kyari

Response to the devastating floods that have ravaged farming communities across the country, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, expressed deep sympathy for the thousands of farmers whose livelihoods have been severely impacted. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reports that thousands of hectares of farmland have been destroyed, with over forty thousand people displaced as a result.

Senator Kyari acknowledged the profound social and economic effects of this disaster, particularly on small-scale farmers. “As we witness the devastation caused by the recent flooding in our agricultural heartlands, my thoughts turn to the hardworking farmers whose livelihoods have been swept away by the unforgiving forces of nature,” Kyari stated, emphasizing the potential negative impact on this year’s harvest.

Despite these challenges, the Minister remains optimistic about the country’s food security targets. He assured that efforts will be intensified in dry season farming to compensate for the losses. “We will meet our food security target despite the losses,” Kyari affirmed. He further highlighted the government’s commitment to bolstering agricultural resilience through smart farming techniques and the use of early maturing seeds, as encouraged by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

In addition to the flood crisis, Senator Kyari also expressed concern for farmers affected by a severe dry spell that has plagued regions in the North-Central, North-East, North-West, and South-West. He emphasized the importance of adapting to climate change through investments in technology and sustainable farming practices.

Looking ahead, the Minister announced plans to focus on the 2024/2025 dry season farming as a strategic measure to offset the recent losses. He revealed that his ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, is actively working on expanding areas under cultivation during the dry season. “We have constituted a committee already between the staff of the two ministries and key players working on ways to achieve the objectives of increasing food production through dry season farming,” Kyari explained.

Senator Kyari called on all citizens to stand in solidarity with the affected farmers, urging states and local governments to provide additional support and resources. “Together, we will weather this storm, and together, we will emerge stronger, united in our commitment to stand with our farmers today and always,” he concluded.

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