The flood disaster has affected more than 3 million Nigerians
Nigeria’s minister of agriculture, Dr. Mohammed Abubakar, has said that Nigeria is not at risk of a food crisis despite losing over 390,000 hectares of farmland in the current flooding disaster, which has affected over 3 million Nigerians.
This was disclosed during the ministry’s budget defense at the National Assembly.
The minister said he guarantees Nigerians that ‘by the grace of God, they won’t face a crisis because the FG has measures in place.
The minister’s statement
On projection that Nigeria might be in a food emergency situation following the flooding of farmland and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine affecting necessary inputs, Abubakar said, “I can guarantee you by the Grace of God we will not allow that to happen because we have measures in place.
“One of the measures is dry season farming, which we have in place. We are working with the ministry of finance; we have gotten money from financing agencies; one of them is AfDB, and we will intensify dry season farming.”
He noted that flooding is natural, could not be stopped, and could also be used as a benefit to Nigeria’s aeroculture production.
He noted that the ministry was already assessing the flood situation on the basis of the extent of damage done to farmlands and crops like rice and maize, and the number of farmers affected, citing that immediate intervention is being implemented by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management through distributing grains provided by the ministry.
In support of farmers for increased crop production, he added that the FG distributes inputs every year in every geo-political zone, adding that records of the distribution, including farm implements to farmers, were available.
He said in line with the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari for the provision of a master plan to mitigate flooding, the ministry was collaborating with the ministries of Water Resources and the Environment.
“We are improving the production of agricultural products in areas where security is okay to make up for areas that are challenged security-wise, and security agencies are helping to provide some measure of security.
“We have big projects for tractorisation and it is ongoing; we have countries where companies have already pledged to invest in agro-processing zones. For example, Kuwait firms have already committed 100 million U.S. dollars,” he said.
The FG said it had distributed relief in 21 states so far. Unfortunately, casualties have risen to 612 Nigerians, with 392,399 hectares of farmlands totally damaged.
