By Ike Uchechukwu. CALABAR

The Permanent Secretary , Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Temitope Fashedemi has asserted that the agricultural sector remains essential for the Nigeria’s economic recovery, stabilization, growth and development.

Fashedemi made the assertion at the ongoing 46th regular meeting of the National Council on Agricultural and Food Security (NCAFS) with the theme ” Resilience To Climate Change Towards Sustainable Food Security in Calabar.

According to him, the meeting was a veritable platform to exchange ideas aimed at advancing agricultural development in the country, as well as setting key topics for consideration and discussion, provide practical recommendations to help the Council make informed decisions for the agricultural sector’s economic impact.

His words: “At this gathering, we must objectively explore the best ways to maintain food security, generate employment, and create wealth.

“This involves assessing the effectiveness of ongoing initiatives and refining strategies for a significant economic impact.”

He emphasized on the importance of sustaining the commodity value chain, enhancing sector linkages, promoting import substitution initiatives, and fostering value-added processing and export-oriented activities.

Speaking further, Fashedemi stressed the need for ongoing collaboration on agribusiness initiatives by providing incentives to researchers, farmers, and processors to boost agricultural output and meet national needs, thereby encouraging greater investment in agriculture and creating jobs.

Earlier, Cross River State Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Johnson Ebokpo, emphasized the importance of addressing the pressing global challenge of climate change and forming a collective commitment to develop resilience against its effects.

Ebopko said : “Food security is central to the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and underpins the policies of state governments, particularly the people’s first agenda of our visionary Governor of Cross River State, governor Edet Otu.”

The Commissioner tasked participants to engage in constructive dialogue, share best practices, and work together towards sustainable solutions for food production amid climate change challenges.