The Federal Government has unveiled plans to leverage agriculture as an alternative source of livelihood for illicit drug producers, in a bid to strengthen food security and reduce drug abuse in the country.

Speaking in Abuja during a meeting with the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, explained that the programme would provide support and rehabilitation for illicit drug producers and users by creating opportunities within the agricultural sector.

He assured that the Ministry would work with the NDLEA to provide cannabis growers with farm inputs such as seedlings, tractors, fertilizers, and other tools. The programme, he said, would also focus on reintegrating rehabilitated individuals into productive agricultural ventures.

In his remarks, NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Marwa, stressed the need for incentives to discourage cannabis cultivation, noting that cannabis remains the most abused psychoactive substance in the country.

According to him, out of the 14.3 million drug users in Nigeria, 10.6 million abuse cannabis alone,” Marwa disclosed.

He further revealed that the Alternative Development Project has secured support from the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs. 

Marwa confirmed that discussions had already been held with some cannabis growers, while both parties agreed to set up a technical committee to work out the modalities of the collaboration.

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