The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has unveiled the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products logo, aimed at facilitating sustainable food security challenges in the Country, which serves as a major turning point in the collective quest for improved national security, enjoined all members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and Nigerians to embrace the laudable initiative and maximise its associated gains.
At the unveiling ceremony today, Thursday, 27 March 2025, at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, the CDS, General Musa who pointed out that the initiative will provide jobs for 70% of Civilian and 30% military personnel, both serving and retired emphasized that the initiative, which aligns with the ‘People Centric’ policy thrust of his leadership concept, aimed at creating job opportunities and enhancing rural infrastructural development while significantly contributing to food security in the Country.
General Musa said in recent years, the adverse impact of climate change, environmental degradation and conflict across some parts of the Country has continuously threatened food security with dire consequences on national security, to address this, the Defence Headquarters in May 2023, conceptualised the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products initiative to key into the federal government’s efforts at addressing food security challenges in the Country.
The CDS said he is optimistic that the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products initiative will have a positive, transformative impact on host communities while enhancing national security, considering the extensive consultation, planning and preparation made by the Committee thus far.
"With similar initiatives replicated across the Country, I envision a future characterized by modernized farming techniques in which the agricultural sector significantly contributes to economic growth and national development," he said
Earlier in his presentation, the representative of the Chief of Defence Policy and Plan, CDPP, the Chairman of the Committee, on behalf of members who worked assiduously to actualize the initiative, listed the objectives of the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products, which is to provide rallying body for the federal ministry of agriculture and food security and the services' farming outfits towards strategy in furtherance with the government's food security schemes.
"To facilitate the provision of agricultural infrastructure towards enhancing the farming initiatives of the services and their host communities, towards the reduction of unemployment in the country.
"To develop farm estates for the services in collaboration with the tiers of government, for cropping, animal rearing and aquaculture across Nigeria, thereby reducing ungoverned spaces within the country and to establish farmers markets across the nation in support of the services of farming outfits.
"To coordinate security cover for farm estates and provide a strong avenue for the promotion of the federal government of Nigeria's food security initiatives," he said
The Committee therefore give a recommendation to liaise with the national assembly to escalate the assent of the bill passed for the establishment of the defence farms and agro-allied products and approve the establishment order for defence farms and agro-allied products.
The committee also recommend facilitating the release of funds for the implementation of the short-term plans of defence farms and agro-allied products, and approves the implementation of phase 1 of the scheme.
Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products initiative's motto is in line with the federal government of Nigeria's policy on agriculture, which aims to enhance food security, promote agricultural diversification, improve rural livelihoods, ensure sustainable agricultural development, and provide support for farmers and technological innovation.
Dignitaries at the auspicious occasion of the unveiling of the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products logo include representatives of the service Chiefs, senior officers from the Defence Headquarters and senior officers from all three services.