Agriculture
Proprietor Backs Call For Agric Research Institute
The proprietor of Top Faith International Schools, in Akwa Ibom State, Dr Emmanuel Abraham, has thrown his weight behind Professor Okon Ansa’s call on the Federal Government to establish agricultural research institute in the Eastern Nigeria as it is the case in the Western and Northern Nigeria.
Dr. Abraham, who chatted exclusively with our correspondent at the University of Uyo during the 55th inaugural lecture recently, agreed that if such institute was established in the Eastern part of the country, it will provide a solution to the tropical diseases that have ravaged crops and plants in the South-South/ South- East region and by extension increase food production.
Describing the 55th inaugural lecture of the university entitled Plant Pathology: The science of plant health and sustenance of Human existence by Professor Okon A. Ansa as a big eye opener, Abraham concluded “we now know that we have to take responsibility in watching over crops and plants when they are sick and seek remedy before they acquire diseases that can affect us when they are consumed”.
He believed if the recommendations postulated by the erudite Professor were accepted and applied by academia, policy makers, farmers and generality of the people, there would be solution to food insufficiency in Nigeria.
Therefore, to bring an end to food insufficiency in Akwa Ibom State and the entire Nigeria, everybody should go back to land to participate in the process of growing one agricultural product or the other to feed the hungry populace.
Earlier, the inaugural lecturer had stressed that if established, the agricultural research institute would provide solution to the problem of disease invasion of food and cash crops and plants in the region based on reasoned scientific deductions.
The learned Professor and one time commissioner of agriculture in Akwa Ibom state, pointed out that apart from rural/ urban drift which has contributed significantly to the reduction in the number of farming hands in the rural communities which eventually has led to increase in the cost of garri in the market, plants disease like cassava mosaic which affects cassava, if not checked could cause starvation, social disaffection and disorder.
He surmised that the university could carve a niche for itself by creating a department of plant protection and Genetic engineering and unbundle the knowledge base required to combat plant diseases and thus increase food productivity.
Speaking in a brief remark the vice chancellor and chairman on the occasion, Prof. Enefiok Essien commended the inaugural lecturer on his knowledge of plant pathology and the presentation made.
Represented by deputy vice chancellor administration, Prof. Godfrey Udoh, Prof. Essien called on the people, not only to imbibe the advice of the learned lecturer on how to identify plant diseases and their effect on human beings but to embrace farming, irrespective of their positions in the society, to stamp out starvation among humanity.
The Tide reports that Prof. Okon A. Ansa, an indigene of Oku Iboku, Itu local government area, Akwa Ibom state, attended Kings’ College, Lagos and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He holds a Ph.D in Plant Pathology from the University of California, USA. Apart from serving as a commissioner under the administration of Idongesit Nkanga, Ansa also became chairman, Board of directors of many organisations.
Akaiso Akaiso Snr, Uyo
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”.
