The Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, CDS General Christopher Musa has enjoined all members of the Armed Forces and the general public to embrace farming which is laudable initiative and maximize its associated gains.
The Defence Chief made the enjoinment during the unveiling of the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products Logo in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
General Musa stated that this event signifies not just the unveiling of a logo, but the initiation of yet another initiative, aimed at facilitating sustainable food security in the Country.
He said that ‘the event is therefore a major turning point in our collective quest for improved national security”.
According to him, as we are all aware, that agricultural sector plays a crucial role in guaranteeing food security which is requisite for sustainable national security but the adverse impact of climate change, environmental degradation and conflict across some parts of the Country has continuously threatened food security with dire consequences on national security.
He noted that to address this, the Defence Headquarters in May 2023, conceptualised the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products initiative with the aim of keying into the federal government’s efforts at addressing food security challenges in the Country.
“The initiative which aligns with the ‘People Centric’ policy thrust of my leadership concept is aimed at creating job opportunities and enhancing rural infrastructural development while significantly contributing to food security in the Country”, he said.
“Considering the extensive consultation, planning and preparation made by the Committee thus far, I am optimistic that the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products initiative will have a positive transformative impact on host communities while enhancing national security”, he added.
He stressed that with similar initiatives replicated across the Country, “I envision a future characterized by modernized farming techniques in which the agricultural sector significantly contributes to economic growth and national development”, he said.
He Defence Chief extended his profound gratitude to Mr President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for his sterling leadership and relentless pursuit of national peace, security and economic prosperity.
He also appreciated the efforts of members of the Committee who have worked assiduously to actualize this initiative.
“Indeed, your commitment and dedication is quite inspiring”, he said.
Earlier, the Chairman Defence Farms and Agro-Allied Products Committee, Major General Isa Abdullahi says insurgency, farmer-headers conflict, militancy, banditry, and other religious crises characterized by mass displacement of farming communities, animal slavery, loss of life, and property have continued to ravage the economy.
General Abdullahi who gave the roles of the military in agriculture and an overview of defense farms and agro-analyzed products said in the past, several government policies have led to the creation of the W3D Nation, the Green Revolution and the recent need to create alternative agricultural promotion policies.
According to him, in spite of this, the Nigeria field is unable to meet domestic requirements for food and raw materials for agro-analyzed industries adding that they optimize the benefits available from the use of technology for development of agricultural and agro-analyzed industries.
“It is therefore against the backdrop that the Federal Government of Nigeria mandated the Anthropocene of Nigeria to set in and cultivate all arable lands within its position towards food and steam production”, he said.
He noted that this led to the establishment of a land-bound and agro-analyzed industry.
“The aim of this presentation, which is to accrue the chief of defense staff, will progress him in establishing the establishment of defense farms and agro-analyzed products in the field making recommendations, he said.
According to him, the institutional framework considered in the establishment of defense farms and agro-analyzed products and that they are all proposed implementation strategies for defense farms between the defense headquarters and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Safety to draw millions in promoting agricultural initiatives of census.
He also noted that the mass development of agricultural infrastructures for the military use nationwide, the creation of special food supply lines described as national results for quick response to food crisis and the provision of mass employment for the public and engagement of military retirees in agricultural practices.
Also, the modernization of agriculture in a climate smart farming system and improvement of security in rural communities for farming to try also the improvement of food security and boosting of Nigeria’s economy and lastly occupation of ungoverned spaces within the country now to the institutional frameworks considered in establishing defense from other products prior to the establishment of defense from other products.
It was essential to consider the necessary institutional frameworks that government agricultural practices land use and business operations this is to enable the initiative to stand test of time some of the key institutional frameworks concerned include government institutions regulatory frameworks financial institutions and humanitarian assistance.
He took them one after the other government institutions some key government institutions responsible for agricultural development were really interfacing in several areas some of these government institutions considered are the national assembly the conversation between the defense headquarters and national assembly became necessary so as to get the necessary legal framework for establishing the venture and also attack budgetary provisions from federal government.
He noted that so far the deal establishing the fund has passed through second reading and it’s expected to be passed as an act within the shortest possible time.
He stressed that the Minister of Agriculture is responsible for formulating and implementing agricultural policies providing extension services and regulating agricultural practices land register the land adding that register is responsible for registering and tightening land ensuring secure land tenure.
Lastly is environmental protection agents which the environmental protection agency replaces environmental impact thereby ensuring sustainable farming practices.
According to him, the electric frameworks the regulatory frameworks considered to include agricultural laws and regulations all existing agricultural laws and regulations regulations governing agricultural practices such as crop and animal husbandry disease control and fed use would be strictly adhered to by defense funds and other products land use planning all laws that regulate land use ensuring compatibility in agricultural activities were considered for street adherence.
Furthermore, water resources management all laws governing water use ensuring sustainable irrigation practices were really considered now financial institutions.
“It is necessary to engage financial institutions in agricultural practices this is due to the fact that funds provide necessary services such as loans and very facilities especially designed for cultural enterprises to this end central bank of nigeria bank of agriculture ban of industry and other have been in the case which was ensuring they provide necessary finances in terms of the land use of agricultural facilities as a result of this analysis farms and agro-alert products”, he added.
“There are several agricultural research institutions in the country. It is estimated that between 1960 and 2024, agricultural research institutions in Nigeria developed and released 530 varieties of 37 crops to target specific climatic conditions in different parts of the country.”, he said
He noted that the defense fund is collaborating with these institutions, both maximizing the benefits derived from their research.
Some of the research institutions the defense fund would collaborate with are shown on screen.
According to him, in private sector, the private sector provisions are also necessary in driving farmers’ associations, agricultural input suppliers, and marketing and trading companies. Some of these private sector institutions include the Nigerian farmers’ association, agricultural city council, maize association of Nigeria, and national association of human and agricultural members.
“As such, the defense fund will collaborate with the private sector institutions”, he said.
Some private sector institutions, the defense fund, Now a look at the proposed implementation strategy for the health farms and Agro-Allied products.
The implementation strategy of the health farms and agri-life products will be undertaken in six coverage short, medium, and long terms.
The short-term implementation plan covers land survey, land preparation, quantification, production of the master plan, unveiling of the logo, which we are doing today, conduct of ground-breaking ceremony, and conduct of ground-breaking ceremony.
Others include implementation of establishment order, procurement of equipment, and preparation of estimates.
On the other hand, the medium-term plan is the development of infrastructure at the farm complex. While in the long term, the implementation plan covers land survey, land preparation, construction of the new ground-breaking facility, the development of the new ground-breaking facility and the development of the new ground-breaking facility.
In the long term, it is expected that farms will be expanded to other geographical zones.
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