Determined to increase food production and address soaring food prices in the country, the federal government plans to distribute high-yield seedlings for dry season cropping. This initiative emerged from a high-level meeting involving the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, alongside top officials from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and Flour Mills of Nigeria, held in Abuja.
Mr. Mohammed Manga, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Finance, reported that Mr. Edun stated the initiative aims to “revolutionize Nigeria’s Agricultural Sector in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration.”
The pivotal meeting focused on accelerating the implementation of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme – Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP). Strategies for driving immediate results were a key discussion point.
The Minister underscored the critical need for an efficient input system during the dry season, particularly emphasizing the importance of high-quality, adaptable seeds for achieving optimal yields. The NAGS-AP team provided comprehensive updates on their daily implementation strategies and presented a finalized work plan for the 2024/2025 dry season.
The NAGS-AP initiative is designed to stimulate increased productivity and higher yields among farmers, ensuring a significant impact on food production and agricultural growth throughout the country. This program aims to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape and represents a significant step toward ensuring food security and economic growth in line with the current administration’s policy thrust.