From Aliyu Muraki (Lafia)
Federal government says plans are ongoing to commence the pilot scheme of modern mechanized agricultural farming in six hundred and thirty two local government areas across the Country to enhance food security.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Mohammed Sabo Nanono annoouced this during a two-day working visit to Nasarawa State.
Alhaji Mohammed Sabo Nanono said one of the focus of present administration is promoting agriculture to ensure economic stability and enhance food security.
According to him, Africa and many countries now focuses on agriculture as sixty five percent of arable land is in Africa.
He explained that Nigeria has about ninety four million hectares of land suitable for production of different types of crops but only thirty four million hectares are being utilized.
Alhaji Sabo Nanono noted that in the next fourty years, population of the country will exceed four hundred million which will resulted to high demands of food in the Country.
According to the minister, Nigeria is feeding neighbouring countries in the west African sub region.
In a remark, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State described the special attention on agriculture by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration as a step in a right direction to ensure food sufficiency.
Governor Sule explained that his administration sees agriculture as business opportunity for employment and industrialization.