Nigeria Tasks African Countries on Food Production

The African Farmer using
the traditional farming method

Considering the acute shortage of food and the wide spread poverty that’s rocking the African continent the Nigerian President Dr. Jonathan Goodluck has called on African leaders to act urgently in boosting agricultural production.


Dr. Goodluck made this observation while receiving the Director-General of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Dr. Jacques Diouf in the State House Abuja, the nation’s capital on Wednesday July 14 adding that focusing on food production will enable the continent avoid a worsening food crisis already being experienced in some countries.

President Jonathan said that African governments clearly need to evolve and implement more measures to address the problems hindering increased food production such as water scarcity and an aging farming population.

“Africa really needs to do more. We must encourage commercial farming. The problem of young people not wanting to farm is compounded by an aging farming population and must also be addressed. We must start now to plan and take action to confront these and other challenges in the area of food production,” the President said.

He assured Dr. Diouf that the Federal Government will continue to support and cooperate with the FAO in its efforts to ensure food security in Africa and other parts of the world, stating that the organization’s efforts under Dr. Diouf’s leadership are already having a beneficial impact on Africa.

In his own contribution, Dr. Diouf said that Nigeria is making good progress in the area of food production, but could still do more not only to ensure its own food security, but also contribute to other less endowed African countries.

He expressed hope that under President Jonathan’s leadership, Nigeria will commit more funds to boosting agricultural production and move much more rapidly towards doubling its current levels of food production.