FG launches 'operation empty the stores' to boost agricultural investment

Marcus Ogunbiyi, permanent secretary at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has said the Ministry will embark on “Operation Empty The Stores” to empower farmers with modern agricultural inputs and equipment to boost agriculture and food security.

The permanent stated this in his remarks at the one day workshop held for Agriculture correspondents covering the Ministry in Abuja on Wednesday, with the theme “Building Partnership with The Media for Food Security”

Marcus said “Operation Empty The Stores means that the equipment and the inputs we have in the store are not meant for the store but for the farmers.”

It aims at ensuring that the Ministry opens up all its stores across the states to distribute all equipments and inputs in storage to ensure they

Marcus said the programme was 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”.

Related News

He added that the workshop was a critical step towards fostering a deeper understanding of the Ministry’s activities, programmes and projects among Media correspondents for proper reportage.

“The workshop will provide an update on the Ministry’s activities, programmes and projects and address recent developments and expectations as they affect the reportage of activities in the agricultural sector of our country.

“Your tireless efforts to inform, educate and entertain the public are fully commendable.

“This workshop is a testament to our Ministry’s commitment to openness, transparency, and constructive engagement with the media. We recognize 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 said.

Marcus further added 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 sensitize the Nigeria populace on the need to embrace agriculture” he said.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.