Flood: Buhari Pledges Continued Farmers Support To Ensure Food Security

President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his unrelenting support for farmers to boost agricultural production in Nigeria despite the ravaging impact of the flooding disaster in some part of the country.

The President stressed that food security remains top on the agenda of his administration.

Speaking at the National Food Security Council (NFSC) meeting presided by him at the State House, Abuja on Thursday, President Buhari said offer his condolence once again to victim affected by the flood disaster.

He expressed his happiness over Nigerians keying into the untapped opportunities in the agricultural sector.

“Food security remains at the forefront of our administration’s agenda. I chaired a Meeting of the National Food Security Council today, where we noted the devastating impact of recent floods on the progress we’ve made so far. Our condolences go to the victims and their families,” a statement from the President’s verified Twitter handle reads.

“I am pleased to note that many Nigerians are taking advantage of the immense opportunities in the agriculture and agri-business sector.

“I want to assure you that this Government will continue to support these initiatives and many more to come.

“While key actors in the Nigerian Agric space are championing increased hectares under cultivation, it has become very necessary to pivot our attention and resources to how we can improve yield per hectare. We must ensure this.”

On plans to address the issue of insecurity affecting farmers, President Buhari announced the deployment of what he described as ‘Agro-Rangers to boost confidence.

He also announced that more credit will be extended to farmers in the rural community.

“On the issue of security, to protect agricultural investments and boost confidence to our farmers we have deployed thousands of Agro-Rangers,” he said.

“We are integrating rural communities to the formal economy by extending access to credit and inputs to rural farmers, and building feeder roads. We have also invested in building our strategic grain reserves in recent years.

“We are grateful to all our farmers for their hard work. We will continue to do everything to support them, including those impacted by the recent flooding disaster. Already, we are working to ensure the losses from this wet season are replaced in the coming dry planting season.”