World Food Day: FG Vows To Keep Borders Close

The Federal Government says it will not reverse closure of borders until neighbouring countries have shown enough commitment to check smuggling of banned commodities into Nigeria.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Mohammed Umar, said this on Monday during a walk as part of activities to mark World Food Day on October 16.

He said the closure was also a response  to farmers’ call as necessary measure to boost food production, especially rice production and other food items, saying they had pleaded that it remained so.

According to him, the farmers have attested to the fact that the development is yielding result, adding that the ministry had since the closure received many applications from people indicating interest in farming.

Umar said following the several requests the federal government would start clearing of land across the country to allocate to farmers for agricultural growth.

He said, “I assure you this message is noted and the borders have not been opened. There are so many applications from farmers for the ministry to clear land for them for agricultural activities.

“Your request will be met because the ministry is ready to embark on land clearing between now and next year at community level, local government level and state level, that require our support.

“We will be there to open up land for agricultural activities.

“Our rice association here have been hailing Mr President and they (members) promised government that they will double their production and that there is no need for importation of rice because we have attained food sufficiency in rice production and other products.

“That is why Nigeria had to key in to this day to celebrate along with about 160 countries currently celebrated at UN in New York.”

The Permanent Secretary said the government was ready to assist farmers to go into mechanisation, adding that government had been assisting farmers with tractors, various farm equipment and other farm inputs to boost production of food in Nigeria.

He said the sensitisation work which was part of activities to mark the World Food Day was to reiterate the importance of food to humanity.

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