Food insecurity: Reps want mechanized agricultural revolution to end hunger

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to collaborate with State Governments to demarcate a minimum of 18,000 hectares of arable land in each of the six geopolitical zones, to be named Geo-Agricultural Zones.
This move aims to address the current food insecurity in the nation through mechanized agricultural revolution.
The House decision followed a motion of urgent matter of important moved Hon. Clement Jimbo, on the
“Urgent Need to end food insecurity through mechanized agricultural revolution across the country,’
The House notes that despite the huge financial and human resources invested in agriculture, the sector has failed to address the current food insecurity in the country.
The lawmakers are concerned that the high cost of food products, caused by insufficient food availability, can lead to malnutrition, psychological distress, and other outcomes, including depression.
The House also mandates the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to apportion the demarcated arable lands according to comparative advantage in crop cultivation and appoint seasoned agriculturists as Geo-Agricultural Zone Project Managers (GaZPM).
The House also stressed that managers will cultivate the lands using mechanization and store the produce in the National Food Bank.
Presenting the motion, Jimbo Notes that National Assembly is saddled with the task of making laws for the Peace, Order and Good governance of the Federation as enshrined in Section 4(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
“Cognizant of Section 16(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended which states that the State shall within the context of the ideal and objectives for which provisions are made in this constitution harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity and an efficient, a dynamic and self-reliant economy.
“Also cognizant that according to Food and Agricultural Organisation, agriculture remains the foundation of our country’s economy, providing livelihoods for most Nigerians and generating millions of jobs.
“Acknowledged the efforts of the Federal Government intervention strategies which includes: (a) release of fertilizers to farmers and grains to households
(b) activation of Land banks amongst others.
“Aware that Nigeria has a total of 70.8 million hectares of agricultural land of which 34 million hectares are arable land which maize, rice, cassava, guinea corn, yam, palm oil, beans, etc grow effectively with less soil improvements.”