Agriculture
Transforming Agriculture Via NGOs
Musa Aliyu, 55, regrets that although he has been farming all his life, he has remained a poor farmer.
He is among many rural farmers in Kogi who moved to neighbouring Edo to form cluster-farming communities with a view to benefitting from modern agronomic practices and access to farm inputs.
Aliyu attributes his plight to lukewarm attitude of some stakeholders towards modern agricultural methodology which, he says, hinders ability of rural farmers to access fertilisers and other inputs.
Analysts note that Aliyu’s case typifies the experience of many rural farmers who take farming as a way of life, but cannot be helped to become commercial agriculturists.
Mr Michael Onotu, a retired civil servant who manages a small farm in Okene, notes that Nigeria is blessed with resources to develop agriculture, but lacks capacity for modern farming.
Analysts agree that the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda is aimed at revolutionising agriculture and reinvigorating the morale of farmers to meet the nation’s food needs.
They say that the agenda may not achieve its targets if it is not supported by various stakeholders, especially non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the sector.
They note that NGOs are private outfits whose structure and activities are based on the initiative of individuals or institutions to complement government’s effort in good governance.
Mr Albert Alabi, an Abuja resident, says involving NGOs in the agriculture transformation programme will enhance government’s initiatives.
“Involvement of NGOs is necessary because they realise that no government can provide all the necessities of life for the wellbeing of its citizens,” he said.
In the same vein, Mr Ibrahim Anas, Executive Director of LOGADEF, an NGO, wants similar organisations and youths to be assist government in transforming agriculture for food security.
LOGADEF recently organised the “All Nigerian States and Local Government Agricultural Development and Rural Transformation Trade Fair 2013” in Abuja.
“It was organised in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and supported by the Federal Government. It featured many farmers from many states and local government areas,” Anas said.
According to him, produce exhibited at the fair included yams, cassava, legumes, poultry products and agro-allied chemicals, among other agricultural equipment.
The Minister of State for FCT, Chief Olajumoke Akinjide, expresses optimism that the efforts of NGOs will go a long way in complementing federal government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda.
But critics have noted that besides organising agricultural fairs and shows, non-governmental organisations in the sector can do much more in the agriculture transformation agenda.
Mr Mohammed Abdulkadir, a farmer who exhibited produce at the fair, commended the role of NGOs, but urged them to further complement government’s efforts.
Dr Tunde Arosanyin, Financial Secretary of All Nigeria Framers Association (AFAN), says that NGOs can do better by going beyond organising trade fairs.
According to him, AFAN has taken steps to identify genuine farmers in various towns and villages, as well as collated reliable data on farmers across the country.
Arosanyin says that the association has helped government agencies to achieve success in data capturing of farmers through its farmer registration exercise.
He notes that registration of farmers and agro-allied produce dealers is a veritable way of assisting transformation in agriculture.
According to him, NGOs should serve as a link between government and farmers to ensure effective delivery of farm inputs and popularising new farm techniques and methodologies.
“When the value of agricultural produce is enhanced, the quality improves, patronage will increase; this will affect the price value and farmers will smile.
“It is only when these roles are played effectively that the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the federal government will be meaningful to the life of poor farmers, and add value to national economy,” he said.
Experts in agriculture are of the view that Nigerian youths can be encouraged to organise themselves into community-based organisations to educate farmers on need areas and methodologies if they are trained.
They also agree that NGOs can be useful to farming communities through establishing more rural agricultural cooperative societies to provide access to loans without collateral for poor farmers.
Mr Mathew Ochu, a retired agriculture officer in Lokoja, thinks that such cooperatives will ensure that poor farmers also have access to other inputs that can enhance food production.
“I want to see many NGOs complementing government’s efforts in reviving agriculture extension services by going to rural farming communities to teach farmers modern techniques of farming, fertiliser application and food storage,” he said.
However, analysts hold the belief that farmers are among the most productive segment of the Nigerian population who deserve necessary assistance from government and non-governmental organisations to sustain food production and fight hunger.
Ahmed writes for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Dada Ahmed
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”.
