Agric Ministry, NASENI To Drive Food Production Through Technology

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) in collaboration with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has inaugurated a committee to fast-track the adoption of new technologies and boost food production for local consumption as well as export.

This move is part of efforts by the ministry to expedite development in the agriculture sector

Speaking during the inauguration that took place at the FMAFS headquarters on Thursday, the Permanent Secretary, FMAFS, Mr. Temitope Fashedemi stated that ‘’strengthening collaboration and partnership between the Ministry and NASENI is timely, noting that the modern world is driven by the application of innovation and technology’’

Fashedemi said the adoption and application of technology in the agricultural sector practices would guarantee the desire of the present administration to achieve food security, job creation, and industrialization across the country.

He pointed out that the National Agriculture Technology and Innovation (2022-2027) was premised on 10 thematic areas including stakeholders’ synergy and alignment, knowledge creation and transfer, rapid mechanization, agricultural development fund establishment, extension service delivery revitalization and livestock development.

Disclosing the structural framework of the technical committee, Farashedemi said, “The membership of the technical committee from the ministry comprised of Directors from the Federal Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry Services, Rural Development, Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services, Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Planning and Policy Coordination, Executive Secretary Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria and representatives of NASENI.”

Fashedemi tasked members to work towards redefining and positioning the agricultural sector through the use of innovation in line with the eight-point agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Responding on behalf of the committee, the Director, Federal Department of Agriculture in the Ministry, Engr. Garba Abdullahi pledged that the committee would work assiduously to achieve its mandate geared towards achieving food and nutrition security.