Food Support: Nigerian Army Farms Set To Release 100 Thousand Metric Tonnes Of Rice

By Ayodele Oni

As part of its food support programme, the Nigerian Army is set to release one hundred thousands metric tonnes of rice into the market at highly subsidize rate to support government efforts.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja disclosed this on Tuesday, at the opening ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Combined Second and Third Quarters Conference 2024 in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

The COAS revealed that Nigerian Army would review its agricultural policy to better position its Farms and Ranches to significantly boost crop production.

General Lagbaja noted that the Nigerian Army understands that the issue of food security will remain on the front burner of national security and discussion for awhile.

He said the Army Headquarters is reviewing some proposals for partnership with Ministries, departments and agencies of government and reputable private organisations on how best to collaborate to resolve food crisis in the country.

“Relatedly, Nigerian Army troops currently provide security cover for farmers in physical farming communities in the North East, North West, and North Central Zones.”

He noted that this is with a view to preventing the devastating consequences of a purse on stop food production in those regions, for the entire country food supply chain.

To key into the president’s drive for food security, the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited (NAFARL) was established by former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. TY Buratai and the current Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa was the pioneer Managing Director tasked with security and general integrity of Nigeria.

The Nigerian Army is holistically supporting the presidents’ drive into agriculture, food security, and to add to the GDP of Nigeria. Also the army will benefit by getting internally-generated revenue, employment opportunities, and so on.