Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for greater accountability in the Federal Government’s food security interventions to ensure that public resources translate into tangible benefits for farmers and households.
Shettima made the call on Friday at the seventh meeting of the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) Steering Committee at the State House, Abuja.
The PFSCU disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to the unit, Shettima called for “stronger visibility and accountability across ongoing interventions” and increased domestic food production to make food more affordable.
He stressed the need for coordinated action by the Federal and state governments, private sector and other stakeholders to achieve measurable results.
The meeting reviewed measures to support farmers ahead of the main harvest season, improve food transportation and distribution, and strengthen strategic reserves.
PFSCU Executive Secretary, Marion Moon, said the government would increasingly rely on evidence to determine where interventions were most needed.
“Our focus is to ensure that the Government has the evidence to act early and precisely – supporting farmers, improving the movement of food, strengthening preparedness and directing interventions to where they can make the greatest difference,” Moon said.
Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi urged the government to prioritise farmers in agricultural policies, particularly in irrigation, inputs, financing, production support and market access.
The committee also reviewed the $500 million Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth (AGROW) programme and other food security initiatives aimed at improving production, monitoring output and responding to emerging risks.
