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President Muhammadu Bahari has directed the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Abubakar and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure that Nigerians do not experience food shortage as a result of the devastating effects of recent floods across the country.
The Minister disclosed this on Wednesday while fielding questions from State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Minister also said that farmers that have insurance coverage will be adequately compensated to ensure that they do not feel the effect of the huge loss they incurred due to the flood menace, while succour will also come for those without insurance coverage.
This is as the FEC has approved the variation in contract for repairs of the East-West road, from an initial N240 billion to N506 billion because of the recent havoc caused flood on the road.
Responding to question on how government intends to avert food shortages in view of the floods, the Minister said: “Number one, first and foremost, we have in place an intensive plan for dry season farming. We have gotten funding from the African Development Bank, we have some money also in our own provision. Also, IFAD, that is the International Fund for Agricultural Development also just donated or grant, if you will, $5 million.
“So, we have some money that we are already planning to do dry season farming.
“In areas of conflict, we are recruiting additional rangers. I told you in another forum that we have Agro Rangers that provide some measure of security on farm lands. We are recruiting more to do that.
“Also, we are intensifying farming in areas that have no conflict to make up for those areas that we are getting little or no access.
“So, the thing is the government, Mr. President, has specifically directed that we do everything humanly possible to make sure there is no food shortage in the country and I can tell you, there will not be any food shortage.
“Between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Central Bank and other private investors in agriculture, there’s enough grains in our own silos, in CBN and silos, that will cater for any eventualities and currently, the Humanitarian Ministry is picking up some grains from us to distribute to the needy. So I can assure you, by the grace of God, there will be no food shortage.”
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