Nigerian Government Vows To Protect Farmers’ Rights, Boost Food Security

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding land rights and boosting agricultural productivity, particularly in rural communities hard hit by climate change and decades of neglect.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, made the assurance during a community engagement in Udobo, Gamawa local government area of Bauchi State on Sunday.

Udobo, once a major agricultural hub in the 1960s and 70s, has suffered from years of state government neglect, leaving it vulnerable to floods and the impacts of climate change.

However, Tuggar highlighted the federal government’s intervention to revitalize the community’s agricultural potential.

“This land fed nations,” Tuggar stated, emphasizing President Bola Tinubu’s plan to revive Udobo’s agricultural legacy without displacing farmers.

He explicitly pledged that “No one will lose their land. Grow what you eat first; we’ll help you sell the surplus.”

The Minister detailed a multi-pronged strategy involving:

Land Rights Protection: Guaranteeing farmers’ secure tenure over their land.
Rural Empowerment: Providing microcredit schemes and subsidized agricultural machinery to boost productivity.

Science-Driven Farming: Utilizing the expertise of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to optimise water access through fadama wetlands and introduce climate-smart farming techniques.

Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Securing funding from ECOWAS and federal agencies to build resilient infrastructure following devastating floods, a success attributed to Tuggar’s diplomatic efforts.

Tuggar’s visit followed last year’s devastating floods that impacted Udobo and surrounding communities.

He highlighted his role in securing international and federal aid for flood victims.

Beneficiaries, including Hajiya Aisha, expressed deep gratitude for the support, particularly the fertilizer provided to aid the upcoming planting season.

Youth leader Musa Adamu Udubo urged continued support to curb rural-urban migration.

Tuggar emphasised that President Tinubu’s economic reforms, while initially challenging, are aimed at long-term progress.

“Pain is temporary; progress is permanent,” he said. He concluded by stating that “Food security is national security. Udobo’s revival symbolizes our resolve: a Nigeria where no farmer fears progress.”