Agriculture
IFAD President Okays NigerianYouths’ Participation In Agric
The President of International
Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Dr Kanayo Nwanze, says he is impressed with the rate of youth involvement in agriculture.
Nwanze made the remark in an interview with newsmen in Egborode, Warri South Local Government area of Delta State, describing the development as a guaranteed future for Nigeria.
‘’I do not remember any country I have visited where young graduates are tired of waiting for government jobs and themselves engaging in agricultural activities and economic opportunities.
‘’Nigeria is the largest country in Africa; in every five Africans, one is a Nigerian. Nigeria has a bulging youth population that is unemployed and agriculture can serve as a platform for them to grow their business in more than one agricultural activities.
‘’I do believe that IFAD will be very happy to be associated with the government and people of Nigeria and I’m very impressed at what the IFAD team is doing in Nigeria and particularly in the Niger Delta.
He said that the IFAD believed that when it invested in people, they would invest in the future of humanity.
Nwanze added that the achievement of the project so far in the region was the successful use of the resources.
‘’We have seen youths that are very hopeful, they see a future; they see a possibility of making money, making it the right way.
‘’That is the reason why I’m so delighted that we were able to extend this project — Community-Based Natural Resource Management Programme — for another two years to give the possibility of achieving its final objectives,’’ Nwanze said.
The president, who had earlier visited the Liberty fish farm, Ekpan, in Uvwie local government area of the state, told NAN that he was impressed with the farm, its organisational structure and the breeding process.
‘’I think it confirms that the hope of Nigeria is actually the youth.’’
Earlier, Mr Henry Ogbodu, the President of Uvwie Fish farmers’ Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Ekpan, who conducted Nwanze round the fish farm, explained that the cooperative was made up of 6,000 fish farmers in six clusters.
He said that the clusters were Ekpan phase I and II, Ogboroke phase I and II, DDPA, Agadaga, White House and New Layout.
Ogbodu said that the fish farming activities started in 2005 as subsistence fish farming but had grown into a commercial venture over the years through the assistance of NGOs and the government.
“Over the years, we have provided jobs for over 2,000 youths both men and women in different enterprises.
“They range from pond construction, fingerling production, fish production, local fish feed production and fish processing to marketing within our locality, thereby reducing the rate of poverty and unemployment in our locality.
“It is our hope and belief that in the nearest future, this figure will be doubled.
“We also save the fish mongers the risk of travelling into the riverine and deep seas in search of catfish which is no longer available in our waters due to environmental pollution,” Ogbodu said
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”.
