Nigeria Aims For Year-Round Cropping To Increase Food Production

News in Brief: - Nigeria's government is launching a year-round cropping initiative targeting staple crops like rice and maize to boost food production. - Backed by President Tinubu, the program aims to increase agricultural investment and productivity while focusing on adding value to crops. Nigeria’s federal government has outlined plans to significantly increase domestic food production through a year-round cropping initiative. The move is aimed at achieving continuous cultivation across both the dry and wet seasons, in a bid to ensure food security. Disclosing this to newsmen recently in the nation’s capital city of Abuja, minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, identified rice, maize, cassava, sesame, soybean, sorghum, and other staple crops as key targets for year-round cultivation. Also, the minister highlighted the success of the recent dry-season wheat farming programme in 15 Nigerian states. According to him, the initiative achieved appreciable success with several states surpassing their allotted hectares. Essentially, the initiative is part of a broader focus on agriculture championed by President Bola Tinubu, who has expressed support for innovative ideas that promote sustainable agricultural development, while attracting investment to the sector. Senator Kyari reiterated the government's commitment to expanding investment opportunities within the Nigerian agricultural sector. Meantime, the national goal for agriculture, according to Senator Kyari, is to achieve increased production and productivity. He stressed the importance of value addition, which aims to enhance the economic viability of agricultural produce. Kyari also highlighted ongoing efforts to introduce mechanisation into agricultural production through partnerships with reputable international agricultural equipment manufacturers.