Agriculture Ministry, NDLEA Partner to Offer Alternatives to Cannabis Growers

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has pledged his ministry’s support for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) drive to curb illicit drug production by creating viable agricultural alternatives for cannabis growers and providing livelihood opportunities for rehabilitated drug users.

Kyari gave the assurance when NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) led his management team to a meeting with the minister and senior officials of the ministry in Abuja.

The collaboration aims to tackle Nigeria’s drug scourge by offering farmers currently engaged in cultivating illicit crops alternative produce options, while also equipping recovering drug users with agricultural skills to help prevent relapse.

Marwa, highlighting the urgency of the initiative, disclosed that:

“Out of the 14.3 million drug users in Nigeria, 10.6 million abuse cannabis alone, making it the most commonly abused psychoactive substance in the country.”

Both agencies agreed to work closely on strategies that promote sustainable farming, reduce the economic dependence on illicit crops, and support national food security goals.