Mohammed Abubakar, the minister of Agriculture and Rural Development made this known while speaking with press men at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which was presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja.
Abubakar listed multiple dry season farming and other measures as part of government’s plans to mitigate the losses to the floods.
When asked if the federal government had any plan to forestall food shortage, as had been projected by various sources, following the devastating flooding,
The minister said: “What are we doing to avert food shortage? 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. Also, 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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