The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, says Nigeria, with its growing population, cannot survive on subsistence farming and must, hence, embrace commercial farming.
The Military high command plans to cultivate ungoverned spaces being occupied by bandits and terrorists.
He stated this on Thursday during the unveiling of Abuja’s Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products logo.
According to the Defence Chief, the multi-billion naira initiative aims to facilitate sustainable food security in the country.
“In Nigeria now, with our population of over 200 million, we cannot rely on subsistence farming. We must go commercial. And it is by expanding this that we can achieve that.
“This event is, therefore, a major turning point in our collective quest for improved national security. As we are all aware, the agricultural sector plays a crucial role in guaranteeing food security which is requisite for sustainable national security.
“Unfortunately, in recent years, the adverse impact of climate change, environmental degradation and conflict across some parts of the Country has continuously threatened food security with dire consequences on national security. To address this, the Defence Headquarters in May 2023, conceptualised the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products initiative with the aim of keying into the federal government’s efforts at addressing food security challenges in the country” he said
He explained that the initiative is also aimed at creating job opportunities and enhancing rural infrastructural development while significantly contributing to food security in the Country.
“Considering the extensive consultation, planning and preparation made by the Committee thus far, I am optimistic that the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products initiative will have a positive transformative impact on host communities while enhancing national security. With similar initiatives replicated across the Country, I envision a future characterised by modernised farming techniques in which the agricultural sector significantly contributes to economic growth and national development. To this end, I enjoin all members of the Armed Forces and the general public to embrace this laudable initiative and maximise its associated gains.”
The chairman of Defence Farms Committee, Major General IM Abdullahi, said agriculture remains the lifeblood of the Nigerian economy. About 80 percent of the population is identified as smallholder farmers who produce over 90 percent of the domestic output out of 33 percent of the country’s arable land.
He added that crop production remained the dominant agricultural activity in Nigeria leaving other aspects.
“The country has a vast, diversified and cultural environment that is fertile and rich in biodiversity with good rainfall patterns, conducive temperatures and fresh water that can grow and support almost any type of crop that exists in the world.
However, this has not translated into improved agricultural development due to the low application of technology.”
He added that the advancement in technology will transform agriculture and optimise capacity of agriculture in Nigeria.
The reality of the National Nutrient Organization and other land-use pressures imply that agricultural output must increase correspondingly to meet the growing food requirements and ensure their coverage.
General Abdullahi said the traditional agricultural practices must come to an end as it cannot guarantee food security.
“Therefore, the application of technology is imperative”.
He said several government policies have tried to create alternative agricultural promotion policies.
“In spite of this, the Nigeria field is unable to meet domestic requirements for food and raw materials for agro-allied industries.
“We are yet to optimize the benefits available from the use of technology for development of agricultural and agro-allied industries.”
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