The National Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Commission (N-HYPPADEC) is set to collaborate with member states to intervene in the food situation in the country.
Managing Director of the commission, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, made this known during a meeting with the 10 commissioners of agriculture from the commission’s member states held in Minna.
He said the move was to ensure improved and high-quality seedlings, promote the adoption of small power tillers and encourage viable processing and storage techniques such as threshers, solar dryers and portable cooling storage systems, among others.
Yelwa said it would be a technical collaboration to enhance food security through timely intervention by applying a pivotal role to support the states in their areas of comparative advantage and policy implementation.
He added that the meeting was a follow-up to experiences and aimed to engage in thoughtful deliberations that would shape policies for the sustainable development of agriculture in riverine communities.
He called for collective knowledge, experience and commitment in addressing challenges in the states.
The director, community and rural development in N-HYPPADEC, Dr. Mahmud Muhammad, said it was a deliberate collaboration aimed at shaping the agricultural policies of the commission, adding; “We are united by a common goal: to foster sustainable agricultural practices, enhance food security and promote rural development across our states.”
Commissioners from Benue and Kebbi states, Prof. Moses Ojah and Shehu Mu’azu respectively, applauded the commission’s leadership on efforts being made to introduce small machinery in farm production which will reduce costs to achieve food security in the region and country.