The Federal Government asserts that there is abundant uncultivated land for farming in Nigeria, revealing a staggering 50 million hectares of arable land.
The call to action urges all Nigerians, regardless of their primary occupation, to cultivate every available soil as a strategic move to ensure food security across the country.
Speaking to journalists covering the Senate in Abuja, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi, emphasized the critical role of food security in the eight-point agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Sabi highlighted the multifaceted benefits of prioritizing food security, including its impact on the war against corruption.
He explained that addressing poverty and hunger through food security could significantly reduce tendencies for average Nigerians to resort to corruption or engage in criminal activities.
Sabi encouraged citizens to actively participate in the policy by planting crops wherever they reside.
The minister disclosed the government’s determination to cultivate a substantial portion of the uncultivated hectares of land in the country.
Currently, out of the 70-80 million hectares of arable land available, only 34 million hectares are under cultivation.
This statistic underscores the vast potential for both the government and citizens to explore farming, thereby enhancing food security in Nigeria.