In a bid to combat food inflation, the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, has embarked on a strategic initiative to generate 5 to 10 million jobs within the agricultural sector. The announcement was made by Vice President Kashim Shettima during a high-level meeting on climate change and resource mobilization held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Key Points:
- Presidential Approval for Housing Projects:
- President Tinubu has approved the construction of 1,000 houses in states including Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, and Benue.
- Focus on Youth Employment:
- VP Shettima emphasized the government’s commitment to making agriculture attractive to the country’s youth, aiming to create millions of jobs in the sector.
- Strategic Collaboration with CBN:
- The Federal Government is working closely with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to provide financial support to the agricultural value chain.
- Mechanization and Land Development:
- Collaboration with mechanization companies is underway to clear more forests, making additional land available for farming.
- Concessionary Capital for Sector Development:
- Concessionary funds will be deployed to support fertilizer, processing, mechanization, seeds, chemicals, equipment, feed, and labor, ensuring food availability and affordability.
- Global Goals Alignment:
- The initiative aligns with global agendas such as the UN-Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development Goals, specifically targeting “Zero Hunger,” and the African Union Agenda 2063.
NEPAD’s Role:
- National Coordinator of NEPAD, Mrs. Gloria Akobundu, commended President Tinubu’s efforts and emphasized the urgency of addressing the food crisis. NEPAD convened a stakeholders’ forum to strengthen smallholder farmers in Nigeria.
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- The comprehensive approach, combining youth engagement, financial support, and strategic partnerships, underscores the government’s dedication to transforming Nigeria into a global agricultural powerhouse while addressing pressing issues like food inflation.
Source: Nairametrics
