In a renewed effort to address Nigeria’s food security concerns, Vice President Kashim Shettima has pledged robust government interventions aimed at easing production costs and supporting local farmers.
Speaking during a Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) steering committee meeting at the Presidential Villa, Shettima emphasised that the government would take decisive steps to assist farmers, including providing single-digit interest loans to enhance agricultural productivity.
“We need to support our local farmers. Give them single-digit loans. The Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit has metamorphosed into an incubator beyond being an advisory body,” he stated.
Shettima further reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to revamping stalled high-impact agricultural projects, stressing that the government’s intervention would be “robust and continuous” to encourage farmers nationwide.
Drawing a comparison with South Korea’s industrial transformation, the Vice President cited the economic model that propelled companies like Daewoo, LG, and Samsung to global prominence through government-backed incentives and low-interest loans.
“I have read and am re-reading Joe Studwell’s How Asia Works. South Korea, once a struggling nation, became the world’s number one steel producer by offering hefty discounts and single-digit loans to its industries. This is a model we can learn from,” Shettima explained.
In line with this commitment, Shettima directed Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State and Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, two major food-producing regions, to engage with a Brazilian delegation for strategic agricultural collaboration.
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State acknowledged the PFSCU’s role in transforming Nigerian agriculture, describing the committee as a key driver of food security.
Similarly, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State emphasised the need for clearly defined priorities for farmers, stressing the importance of early planning before each farming season.
Meanwhile, Marion Moon, the Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture and Coordinator of PFSCU, reassured stakeholders that the government remains committed to ensuring affordable food while incentivising increased production to stabilise supply.
With these interventions, the Nigerian government aims to strengthen the agricultural sector, empower local farmers, and enhance national food security through sustainable policies and strategic investments.
