Agriculture
Wetlands International, To Empower N’Delta Farmers
Wetlands International
(WI) through her regional office in Nigeria plans to assist a number of Niger Delta communities in alleviating poverty and sustaining their wetlands eco-system services through incentive systems such as Bio-Rights.
The Bio-Right is a microcredit finance mechanism that combines poverty reduction and environmental improvement through the restoration and conservation of land to help farmers in the region increase their yield.
The funds provided to the farmers in the local communities would enable them to be actively involved in the conservation of the land on which they (farmers) are expected to cultivate at a given time.
This in return for this support is to refrain from unsustainable agric practices.
Micro-credits are converted into definitive payments upon successful delivery of conservation and restoration services at the end of a contracting period with farmers and other stakeholders.
The actions have economic value for the farmers including environmental benefits not only for the local people but at the global level as well, according to a statement obtained by our correspondent from the Bayelsa State Environment Ministry.
For instance, replanting mangrove forests can increase fish stocks locally while storing carbon helps limit climate charge globally.
Bio-right is thus able to bridge the gap between local and global interests.
On June 19, 2015, WI disbursed funds through Wetland Micro Finance Bank, Warri Delta State to 25 sustainable livelihoods and Biodiversity Project (SLBP) beneficiaries in Obiayagha community in Ugheli South Local Government Council of Delta State.
Also, on June 23, and June 24,2015, WI gave out funds through Equator Micro Finance Bank, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State to 14 SLBP beneficiaries in Abobiri community and 21 SLBP beneficiaries in Opume community both in Ogbia LGA all in efforts to improve the livelihood of farmers and sustain the environment.
The Director of Forestry and Conservation, Delta State Ministry of Environment, Mr. Obi-ebi Emamezi chaired the disbursement ceremony in Obiayagha while that of Abobiri and Opume communities was chaired by the director of forestry and conservation Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, Chief Claude Eze.
Bio-Right approach unites the conservation and the development aspirations of NGOs, governments private sector and local communities alike.
Projects in the fields have proved that Bio-Rights serve as a powerful tool that address the major agricultural and environmental challenges of our age, including climate change and bio diversity loss.
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”.
