Agriculture
NAOC Disburses N20.8m To Farmers’ Cooperatives
Following the challenges of flood disaster that marred the efforts of farmers and co-operative societies in 2012, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company – Green River Project (NAOC – GRP), has disbursed the sum of N20.8 million to 41 farmers’ co-operative societies across its operational states of Rivers, Imo, Abia and Delta.
NAOC Managing Director, Ciro Antonio Pagano, disclosed this last Saturday, at the 17th 2012 Farmers’ Day celebration held at the Plant Propagation Centre (PPC), Obie-Obrikom in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Managing Director, who was represented by the Human Resources General Manager, Namaan Dienye, said, despite the daunting challenges, NAOC Green River Project would continue to impact lives by supporting farmers in the areas of multiplication and distribution of planting materials, extension services and training, rural transportation and agro-processing, micro-credit access facilitation, among others.
As part of efforts to boost input materials, NAOC he said, has embarked on the cultivation of over 16.5 hectres of land for rapid multiplication of improved seeds and seedling, production and distribution of 5,340 bundles of cassava stems to 559 farmers, distribution of 14,505 seed yams to 50 farmers as well as over three tons of maize seeds to 395 farmers.
Others are distribution of 45kg of early maturing Okro seeds to 75 farmers, 35 plantain suckers to 187 farmers, 16,360 pineapple suckers to 35 farmers and 2,000 various indigenous fruit trees, as well as training of 548 youths in various trades such as, catering, fashion design, masoury, computer, hair dressing and welding/pipe fittings.
The Managing Director commended the four states Governments, Community Development Foundation (CDF) and other research institutes for their support and encouragement, noting that the event provided opportunity for farmers, Co-operative Society, agro-based organsations, government and other stakeholders to show case their achievements in the period under consideration.
Also speaking, the Agip General Manager, District, Giovanni Salvini, lauded the efforts of the farmers who despite the challenge of the 2012 flood disaster, still provide the agricultural produce exhibited at the respective pavilion, saying that NAOCwill continue to provide necessary support that would encourage massive food production in the four states.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Boma Oruwari has described the efforts of Agip towards agric-development as a sure way of creating job, wealth and poverty alleviation among the host communities.
He called on the youths/women of the area to key into the farmers co-operative Societies so as to be part of the beneficiaries of the agric business project of NAOC – GRP.
Highlight of the occasion was cultural display and award of certificate, cash and items to various categories of the best farmers of the year.
Federal Government and the Ogun State Government, on Wednesday, distributed farm inputs to farmers as part of effort to address food security challenge.
The State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Toyin Ayo-Ajayi, during the flag-off ceremony of Inputs Redemption Under The National Agricultural Growth Scheme-Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP), in Ogun State, disclosed that beneficiaries of the gesture were primarily rice, maize and cassava farmers across the State.
Ayo-Ajayi commended the Ogun State Government for partnering with the government at the centre for the effort in supporting farmers with inputs that would bring about yieldings for local consumption and likely exportation.
She noted that government is supporting rice, cassava and maize farmers with inputs worth N212,000; N189,000 and N186,000 respectively.
The Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye, who represented the Commissioner in the Ministry, Bolu Owotomo, stated that traditional farmers are critical in food production, hence the need to encourage and support them with inputs that would bring about desired results during harvesting.
Owotomo said: “Let us make good use of this opportunity, so that the success of this phase will make farmers benefit more from the state and federal governments of Nigeria.”
Earlier, State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Oluwatoyin Ayo-Ajayi, appreciated the present administration for partnering with the federal government for the initiative, adding that the programme is designed to support farmers at the grassroots level in cassava, rice and maize with inputs such as, seeds, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, to boost their production and enhance their livelihood.
The Niger State Government has mapped out 10,000 hectares of farmland in Gbapo Community of Katcha Local Government Area of the State for smallholder farmers to benefit from the state government’s agricultural intervention programme.
Two thousand out of the 10,000 holders of the farmlands have already received inputs.
At a flag-off ceremony in Yinti Village, the facilitator of the programme, Shinkafan Nupe, Malam Idris Usman Makanta, assured the farmers of increased distributions to the mapped-out ten thousand (10,000) farmlands if farmers respond positively.
He explained that the commencement of the two thousand is to measure the positive response of farmers before obtaining full-scale support.
Malam Makanta stated that this initiative aligns with the farmers’ initial commitment through Niger Foods, whose mission is primarily geared towards establishing efficient and profitable agricultural businesses to support the present administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s quest to boost agricultural productivity in the state.
He also commended Niger Foods for their steadfastness and resilience in the effective implementation of the input financing scheme.
Makanta reiterated the commitment of the State Governor in making judicious use of the arable land in the state.
Shinkafan Nupe, therefore, urged the farmers to support the Governor by using the inputs wisely so that the dream can be actualised.
The Gombe State Government has empowered a total of 573,429 farmers and entrepreneurs under the 4th phase of the GO-CARES programme.
The programme was officially flagged off by Governor Inuwa Yahaya in another major step towards alleviating poverty and supporting the state’s vulnerable populations.
The Governor, while inaugurating the disbursement in Akko Community of Akko Local Government Area, restated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of vulnerable citizens in the state.
He was represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Salihu Baba Alkali, who is also the Chairman of the Steering Committee on GO- CARES implementation.
“The 4th phase of GO-CARES will directly and indirectly impact a total of 573,429 citizens across the state. Of these, 152,429 individuals will benefit directly through cash transfers, livelihood grants, agricultural inputs, and operational grants to small businesses”, he stated.
The Governor added that, “421,000 people will be indirect beneficiaries through infrastructural projects such as classroom blocks, healthcare facilities, WASH services, and rural infrastructure projects like culverts and drainages”.
Yahaya, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the state’s most vulnerable citizens are not left behind in the state’s development.
According to him, “Earlier this year, on June 25, 2024, we flagged off the distribution of improved seedlings, fertilizers, and herbicides to less privileged farmers in Malam Sidi, Kwami Local Government Area, signaling the commencement of the 4th phase implementation of GO-CARES under Result Area 2”.
The Governor reiterated that these initiatives have had a significant impact on the livelihoods of beneficiaries and the overall agricultural sector.
He explained that, “Today’s ceremony marked the simultaneous launch of activities under all three GO-CARES Result Areas for the 4th phase. These areas include: State Cash Transfer Grants: 2,500 direct beneficiaries; Labour Intensive Public Works: 2,700 direct beneficiaries; Livelihood Grants: 10,000 direct beneficiaries; and Basic Services: 405,000 indirect beneficiaries”.
