The Federal Government has emphasized that there is an ample amount of uncultivated land in Nigeria, revealing that the country possesses approximately 50 million hectares of unused arable land.
The government is urging all Nigerians, regardless of their primary occupation, to cultivate crops on any available soil as part of a strategy to enhance food security.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi, conveyed this information in Abuja on Monday during an interaction with journalists covering the Senate.
He emphasized the critical nature of food security within the eight-point agenda of the administration led by President Bola Tinubu.
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Senator Sabi highlighted the multifaceted benefits of prioritizing food security, including combating corruption.
He stated that addressing poverty and hunger through food security measures could substantially reduce the inclination of average Nigerians to resort to corruption or engage in criminal activities.
Encouraging Nigerians to participate in the policy, Senator Sabi urged individuals to plant crops wherever they reside.
Additionally, the government expressed its determination to cultivate a significant portion of the uncultivated hectares of land in the country.
Currently, out of the 70-80 million hectares of arable land in Nigeria, only 34 million hectares are cultivated, indicating substantial potential for both the government and citizens to explore farming practices and contribute to ensuring food security.
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