Over 4.2 Million Nigerians Lifted Out Of Poverty In Two Years, New Agric Minister Claims

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Muhammad Abubakar, has said that the government has lifted over 4.2 million out of poverty in the last two years.

The minister, said this on Friday, at the briefing on the 2021 World Food Day held in Abuja.

Abubakar said, “Through our various empowerment initiatives along production, processing and marketing of agricultural commodities we have lifted a total of 4,205,576 Nigerians out of poverty in the last two years.

“This is going to continue as part of Mr. Presidents promise to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within the next 10 years.”

Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Statistics said 40 per cent or 83 million Nigerians live in poverty in 2019, while 23.2 million Nigerians or 33.3 per cent are jobless in 2020.

The new minister said over the last two years, the ministry has made articulated efforts and has implemented several agricultural projects.

He revealed that there are two policies which include the National Policy on Agricultural Extension of Nigeria and the Policy Implementation Strategy (PIS) that is awaiting presentation to the National Economic Council, Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly for approval and legislation.

The second is the development of a National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) covering 2021 – 2025, a successor policy for the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) and Agricultural Promotion Policy (APP).

The minister said, “The upcoming NATIP is developed to provide integrated approach to agricultural development in terms of access and application of improved inputs, linkages between agricultural research and training institutions, input provision for farmers, agricultural mechanization, Extension Services, provision of rural Infrastructure, access to affordable funding, Climate Change management and Sustainable agriculture, Nutrition, and security of Agricultural land and Investments.”

Abubakar said the ministry has constructed 393.45km of Asphalt and 271.8km Earth road in rural areas along farm settlement routes thereby reducing the cost of transportation of agricultural commodities by 49 per cent to demand/storage outlets.

He added, ” As part of our effort to ensure food security, a total of 446 potable water points were provided to rural communities nation-wide with 286,500 household having access.

“We have also installed 11,952 nos. of electrical facilities as well as the provision of 5Nos, 500KVA Transformer to the rural areas, to facilitate access to light for food processing activities.”