Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, permanent secretary to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has said the ministry is set to embark on ‘Operation Empty The Stores’ to empower farmers with modern agricultural inputs and equipment with a view to boosting agriculture and food security.
The permanent revealed this in his remarks at the one-day workshop with agriculture correspondents covering the ministry and its agencies, which held in Abuja on Wednesday, with the theme ‘Building Partnership with The Media for Food Security.’
Ogunbiyi said ‘Operation Empty The Stores’ means that the equipment and the inputs in the store are not meant for the store but for the farmers.
It aims to ensure that the ministry opens up all its stores across the states to distribute all equipments and inputs in storage.
Ogunbiyi said the programme is strategically designed to foster a stronger collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the media.
He said, “The Ministry recognises the importance of effective communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing in achieving our lofty objectives.
“Your tireless efforts to inform, educate and entertain the public are fully commendable,” he said.
“This workshop is a testament to our Ministry’s commitment to openness, transparency, and constructive engagement with the media. We recognise that a well-informed media is essential to promoting a better understanding of the agricultural sector and its impact on our nation’s development,” he added
Ogunbiyi further noted that the importance of agriculture in the national economy cannot be over-emphasised, especially with the global economic challenges and the need for diversification of our economy.
“There is therefore, the need to mobilise, educate and sensitise the Nigeria populace on the need to embrace agriculture,” he said.
He added that the press possesses significant power to change negative narrations and called on participants to channel this power towards sensitising Nigerians to take renewed interest in agriculture so as to feed and develop our nation.
In his remarks, Joel Oruche, the director of Information in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the ministry has enjoyed overwhelming support at every critical moment.
He, however, stressed the need for a stronger partnership with the media, given the premium the present administration has placed on food security.
“Essentially, as we make efforts towards ensuring food security in our dear country, it is important that we forge a strong synergy to ensure that this is achieved.
“Your duty in this regard is to continuously educate the public on the policies, programmes and activities of the ministry that impact on farmers,” He said
Oruche said the ministry has a big mandate, which covers food security, employment generation, wealth creation, agribusiness activities and rural development, among others.
“In the discharge of these responsibilities, the ministry has made giant strides towards diversifying the country’s economy.
“There are numerous ongoing projects and programmes by various departments of the ministry.”
He stated that various policies and programmes have been enunciated in agriculture for the country to drive some of its value chains, including provision of affordable farm inputs to small holder farmers and measures to mitigate the effect of climate, among other.
He urged participants to make good use of the opportunity to update their knowledge of the ministry’s activities.
The director, who said he is exiting the service in the coming six months, thanked the media for their support since his assumption of duty at the ministry
Kingsley Osadalor, technical advisor, strategic communication to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said:
“The critical role of the media cannot be overemphasised and how well-informed media communications are about pertinent issues in food security will also play a role in how well stakeholders have understanding matters going on and how well stakeholders can also be pulled into the pool for cooperation and collaboration.”
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