Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed the federal government’s ambitious plan to generate between 5 to 10 million jobs within the agricultural sector to combat food inflation.
Shettima stated this on Tuesday during a two-day high-level strategic meeting on climate change, food systems and resource mobilization held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The vice president emphasized the government’s commitment to invest in agriculture, aiming to make it appealing to the country’s youthful population.
He, however, outlined initiatives to leverage existing arable land and develop additional farmlands to achieve this goal.
He highlighted the alignment of these efforts with international agendas such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, aimed at achieving zero hunger and positioning Africa as a global powerhouse.
Additionally, Shettima disclosed collaborative efforts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to finance the agricultural value chain and partnerships with mechanization companies to expand farming opportunities.
The VP stressed the deployment of concessionary capital towards essential agricultural inputs like fertilizer, mechanization, and seeds to ensure food accessibility and affordability.
He underscored the administration’s focus on improving Nigeria’s Human Capital Index (HCI) for enhanced productivity.
Furthermore, Mrs. Gloria Akobundu, National Coordinator of NEPAD, lauded President Tinubu’s commitment to nation-building and praised efforts to strengthen smallholder farmers.
She emphasized the urgency of addressing the food shortage crisis, highlighting the convening of stakeholders to mobilize resources for smallholder farmers in Nigeria and Africa.
