FG Commits to Food Security and Job Creation in Agriculture

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to addressing food shortages and unemployment through agriculture and livestock development. This statement was made by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, during the second International Conference of the Agrifood Systems Stakeholders Forum held at the University of Port Harcourt on Monday.

Represented by Victor Egbon, the Director of Ruminant and Monogastric Development, Maiha praised the Agricultural Policy Research Network (APRNet) for organizing the conference, which aimed to find solutions to food insecurity, poverty, and youth unemployment. He emphasized the need for collaboration among stakeholders to support the Federal Government’s national livestock development agenda, which aims to enhance agricultural productivity and job creation.

Maiha acknowledged challenges such as climate variability, animal diseases, and limited access to finance but noted opportunities within the livestock value chain. Prof. Princewill Chike, Vice-Chancellor of UNIPORT, highlighted agriculture as a solution to brain drain and youth migration, urging the government to make agriculture more appealing to young people.