Food Security Centre Of Renewed Hope Agenda – Ministry

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has distributed 46 metric tonnes of certified seeds to support 4,600 farmers in Zamfara State, saying food security is at the centre of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, represented by a director, Rabiu Dahiru, disclosed this yesterday in Gusau, during the flag-off of the Renewed Hope Seed Support Programme.

The programme was implemented by the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC)in collaboration with the Zamfara State government.

Kyari said the intervention was designed to strengthen the farmers’ access to quality, climate-smart improved seeds and support agricultural productivity and food security.

“Seed is the foundation of agriculture. The quality of the seed planted determines, to a significant extent, the farmer’s productivity, resilience and profitability.

“This is why the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, continues to place agricultural transformation and food security at the centre of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

He said under the intervention in Zamfara, the Federal Government, through NASC, was providing 22 metric tonnes of certified cowpea seed and 24 metric tonnes of certified groundnut seed.

“A total of 46 metric tonnes of certified seeds. The intervention has the potential to support approximately 4,600 farmers across Zamfara State directly,” the Minister said.

Kyari stressed that the cooperation of the Zamfara State Government demonstrates the importance of partnership between the Federal and State Governments in addressing challenges confronting farmers.

In his remarks, the Director-General of NASC, Hon. Fatuhu Muhammad, appreciated President Tinubu’s efforts in approving the Presidential Catalytic Seed Fund.

“This is a landmark initiative that will strengthen Nigeria’s seed industry by stimulating private sector-led seed value chains,” Muhammad said.

He said the present administration had demonstrated its unwavering commitment towards achieving sustainable food and nutrition security under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Earlier, Governor Dauda Lawal, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Ya’u Haruna Gamji, said the federal Government’s intervention aimed to support farmers affected by the prolonged dry spell following the early onset of the 2026 rainy season.

“This laudable initiative is a welcome intervention in this state, considering that the agricultural sector is by far the largest sector of the Zamfara economy.

“It employs more than 80 per cent of the active population that produces the staple foods consumed in the state and beyond,” Gamji said.

He said that no serious government would ignore the agricultural sector, given its strategic position.

“It is a deliberate and strategic decision of allocating more than 10 per cent of our annual budget in 2025 and 2026 to the agricultural sector to complement the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, CAADP,” he said.

Gamji said the state government had reached an advanced stage in procuring 250 units of tractors and implements from the Republic of China, as well as sealing a partnership with the Republic of Turkey for a 100-million-dollar intervention.

The governor called on beneficiaries to embrace the opportunity with determination and collaborate with extension agents to transform challenges into opportunities.

“Let the agricultural sector lead the way towards a more resilient and prosperous Zamfara and Nigeria in general,” he said.