Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, has said that N9.1 billion of the N200 billion allocated to the Ministry in the proposed supplementary budget is to tackle transboundary migratory pests like locusts amongst others to address food insecurity in the country.
The Minister also said that for the 2024 rainy season, N11.7 billion is earmarked for each of the six zones of the country for agricultural development.
Kyari disclosed this on Wednesday when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Chaired by Rep. Abubakar Bichi (APC, Kano) to defend the 2023 supplementary budget.
He also said “Food security is top on the agenda of President Bola Tinubu. Food security is part of national security and for this reason, we had a challenge of anthrax. We have a disease that has threatened some states and if care is not taken it can wipe out livestock and it can be transferred to humans.
“It must be taken care of. And we also have transboundary migratory pests like locusts. So, we have budgeted N9.1 billion for that purpose. In addition, there is the issue of the strategic food reserve. So N25.5 billion has been earmarked.
“Also the provision of seeds and seedlings and other agricultural inputs for each zone of the country to the tune of N11.7 billion per zone. The National Agricultural Growth Scheme earmarked support for this at N25 billion,” he stated.
