FAO partnership vital for food security, agricultural growth in Nigeria – Minister

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, has said that strong collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other stakeholders is essential for ensuring food security and driving agricultural growth in Nigeria.

Abdullahi made the remark during a courtesy visit by an FAO delegation led by its Country Representative for Nigeria and ECOWAS, Hussein Gadain, in Abuja on Thursday.

The minister noted that sustained partnership with the organisation would help promote climate-resilient farming, improve farmers’ access to quality seeds, encourage the adoption of modern agricultural techniques, and strengthen agricultural value chains across the country.

He also highlighted the ministry’s long-standing relationship with FAO, particularly in the areas of technical and financial support as well as agricultural data management, while calling for increased assistance in modernising irrigation systems to enable year-round farming and boost food production.

Abdullahi further identified plant health and pest management as critical factors in improving agricultural productivity and ensuring sustainable farming practices.

“Measures to prevent and control pests and diseases will significantly improve crop yields and promote sustainable farming practices, ensuring that Nigerian farmers can achieve higher productivity and food security,” he said.

In his remarks, FAO Country Representative for Nigeria and ECOWAS, Hussein Gadain, said Nigeria possesses enormous agricultural potential that can be harnessed through sustained partnership and strategic interventions.

Gadain identified key areas for collaboration to include strengthening market systems, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and improving national agricultural data management to support the growth of the sector.