The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to key into the implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s policy on food security.
Lagbaja said this at the opening of the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited (NAFARL) training workshop 2024, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The theme of the workshop is “Attaining Peace through Food Security: Nigeria Army Farms and Ranches Limited Perspective”.
Labaja, represented by the Chief of Transformations and Innovation, Maj.-Gen. Zakari Abubakar, said the workshop would rekindle efforts of the army to provide viable and sustainable agricultural programmes through effective farming and ranching.
The COAS said the army had made the issue of food security a priority following the President’s directive for the Armed Forces of Nigeria to use its available land for agricultural purposes.
He commended NAFARL for its remarkable successes and achievements in its research and development efforts, especially in the area of livestock breeding and refining.
“In this regard, the Nigeria Army has already begun the review of all its agricultural policies to better position the farm to significantly boost crop production.
“The workshop is indeed one of the tests in this direction.
“I have also approved proposals and requests for partnerships from Ministry, Departments and Agencies, as well as some reputable agricultural establishments with NAFARL.
“There is no doubt the outcome of these partnerships will contribute significantly in addressing the food insecurity facing the nation.
“I commend you for your effort on the height the farm has so far attained and I implore you to do more until we reasonably control the national food reserve,’’ he said.
The Chief of Special Services and Programmes (Army), Maj.-Gen. Henry Wesley, said the workshop was a follow up to the presidential directive to the army, that all its unusable land be converted for agricultural purposes.
He said the COAS decided that the army farms and ranches should make efforts to upgrade the skills and capabilities of members of the armed forces, to be able to perform the role efficiently.
The Director-General of NAFARL, Maj.-Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, said the Nigerian Army, through NAFARL, had long keyed into the Federal Government agricultural programmes through all its value chain.
Nnebeife said that the army’s participation in agricultural ventures through farming and ranching was aimed at contributing to peace through food security.
He said the farm activities had and would always continue to key into the achievement of the COAS’ philosophy.
“I want to assure you that Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited will continue to explore and research in the agricultural sector to ensure the army contributes meaningfully to national food reserve.
“The farm has already begun brief refinement of cattle to ensure that the exotic foreign breeds are domesticated to withstand the environmental conditions of the tropics.
“The NAFARL, as a limited liability company, is collaborating with sub-stakeholders in the various agricultural ventures in all our endeavours,’’ he said.
The Executive Secretary/CEO, National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Chief Cornelius Adebayo, said the agency was partnering with the army to ensure that all lands were used for agricultural purposes.
Adebayo commended the military, especially the Nigerian Amy, for taking the lead in implementing the President’s directive, assuring that the government would empower all officers and men to key into farming.
According to him, food security is national security anywhere in the world and Nigeria must continue to ensure that all available lands are put to agricultural uses. (NAN)
