By Haruna Usman, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, has kick-started the 2023/2024 dry season aerial spray to control transboundary quelea birds in the 12 frontline states.
Kebbi hosted the programme on behalf of the Federal Government among the frontline states.
During the ceremony at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday, the governor described quelea birds as inimical to agricultural productivity and national food security.
The frontline states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.
While appreciating the Federal Government for finding Kebbi worthy of hosting the exercise, the governor observed that Kebbi was strategic to food security in the country.
The governor described quelea birds and grasshoppers as dangerous and destructive, adding that inaction would reverse the food security efforts due to the colossal damage they inflict on food and humans.
In his speech, the minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the choice of Kebbi to host the programme was delibrate, considering the farming activities, especially the cultivation of rice and other crops as well as the support and love of the governor for agriculture.
“This is in line with the dynamic agenda of the Federal Government under the able people-oriented leadership of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the agenda was firmly committed to transforming agriculture for improved production and productivity.
“This is targeted at making food and other agricultural commodities available, accessible and affordable to all Nigerians.”
This will further enhance the livelihood of farmers and other actors within the agricultural value chain and guarantee food and nutrition security.
The minister said Nigeria was blessed with vast agricultural land, resources and great potentials for future expansion to meet national demands to the desired self-sufficiency in food and possibly for export.
