Former Minister of Transport and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has called for significant investment in agriculture to ensure food security in Nigeria.
Amaechi made the call during a visit to Maraba Gaate Settlement Farm in Nasarawa on Tuesday.
He urged a shift from traditional, low-yield farming to modern, mechanized methods to boost food production, reduce dependence on imports, and create jobs.
“The best way to fight insecurity in the country is to invest in agriculture,” he said.
Amaechi emphasized transitioning from subsistence farming to modern agricultural practices to enhance economic growth and tackle food insecurity. He expressed satisfaction with the farm’s operations and pledged to invest in agriculture, replicating the model of Songhai Farms in Rivers State.
Also speaking, Mr. Retson Tedheke, Sarkin Yakin Ga’ate and Managing Director of Nigeria Farmers’ Group & Cooperative Society (NFGCS) Farm Estate, said his aim is to create a farming community estate to help Nigeria achieve food security.
He advocated for “economic democracy,” stating that empowering Nigerians to produce locally would reduce insecurity.
“We don’t need to import food. As long as Nigeria imports what we can produce, we are giving room to insecurity,” Tedheke said.
He expressed optimism over Amaechi’s visit, noting that the partnership would help tackle unemployment in the community and urged the government to focus on feeding Nigerians.
The farm spans about 1,000 hectares and has operated for nearly a decade, providing housing, healthcare, and schools for workers, and employing over 500 people.
