Nasarawa Launches New Agricultural Policies, Council to Boost Food Security
Governor Abdullahi Sule has said that the effective implementation of agricultural policies in Nasarawa State is critical to the success of the state government’s food security initiative.
The Governor stated this during the inauguration of the Nasarawa State Council on Agriculture and the launch of new agricultural policies in the state.
The event, which was held under the theme, “From Policy to Execution: Transforming Agriculture for Food Security, Wealth Creation and Economic Growth,” featured the inauguration of the Nasarawa State Council on Agriculture, the launch of agricultural policies and the unveiling of the Agriculture Dashboard.
The newly launched initiatives include the State Agriculture and Food System Policy, the State Agriculture and Investment Plan, as well as the Nasarawa State Agriculture Intelligence Board.
Governor Abdullahi Sule explained that while the formulation of policies was important, their effective implementation remained key to achieving the desired results. He therefore reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the initiatives translate into tangible benefits for the people of the state.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, represented at the occasion by the Director of Agribusiness and Market Development, Olawunmi Olajide, commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for his efforts to reposition the agricultural sector in the state.
He particularly acknowledged the inauguration of the Nasarawa State Council on Agriculture and other initiatives introduced by the state government, describing them as measures capable of producing reliable outcomes in the agricultural sector.
The Country Director of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, AGRA, Dr. Rufus Idris, said the launch of the agricultural policies and investment plans, alongside the other initiatives, would further unlock the agricultural potential of Nasarawa State.
He reaffirmed AGRA’s commitment to providing the necessary support to ensure the successful implementation of the initiatives.
The Project Manager of AGRA, Kenneth Ode, said that since the commencement of the AGRA project in Nasarawa State, the organisation had been able to attract more than three million dollars in investment to the state.
He added that individuals across different levels of the agricultural value chain had also benefited from grants and training in various aspects of agricultural production and related activities.
The Managing Director of the Nasarawa Investment and Development Agency, NASIDA, Barrister Ibrahim Abdullahi, highlighted the benefits expected from the inauguration of the Nasarawa State Council on Agriculture.
He said the council would play an important role in shaping and coordinating agricultural policies in the state, thereby providing a stronger framework for the development of the sector.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mohammed Oyige Iyimoga, described the event as part of the state government’s efforts to enhance agricultural activities and promote sustainable practices capable of positioning Nasarawa State as a leading agricultural destination in Nigeria.
The Commissioner also underscored the contributions of development partners to the state’s agricultural development efforts, noting that their support had played an important role in promoting the food security agenda of the Nasarawa State Government.
The commitment to sustained collaboration for the development of agriculture was also echoed by the Chairman of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Ibrahim Peter Akwe, and other stakeholders.
They expressed support for the initiatives and prayed for the successful implementation of the agricultural programmes for the benefit of farmers and the people of Nasarawa State.
