Agriculture
Benue State Governor Unveiled New Fruits and Grains Measurements
Samuel Ortom announced the implementation of new standard measures for fruits and grains. The long-awaited event took place at the prominent Makurdi International Market for the duration of the official opening of the State Unified Standard Weights and Measures.
The governor of Benue State has legitimately revealed joined standard measurements for all fruits and grains produce. From today, they must be broadly used in all, without exception, markets across the state. The primary aim of this important initiative is to protect the interests of both customers and farmers. Another fact is that many people were not happy with the previous standard measurements.
So, all sellers and buyers of agricultural goods were glad that the state government has finally listened to them. Therefore, the new standard measurements are:
- For garri: 23×25 inch sacks;
- For fruits and grains: 28×47 inch bags;
- For grains (one hand scoop): 1-kilogram standard mudu;
- For the polished rice: 25-kilogram standard tin.
As a result, Samuel Ortom assured all happy farmers that his administration will do everything legally achievable to guarantee that they will always receive real value for their produce.
Additionally, the governor of the state declared that the key policy was in maintenance with his administration’s promise to guarantee that all farmers are never shortchanged. Samuel Ortom especially stressed the fact that this newest initiative would do only good to all farmers and their loyal clients.
The governor also congratulated Doctor Tersoo Kpelai, the Commissioner for Industries, Trade, and Investments, over the development of new standards of measurement. Ortom told that Benue State must live up to all the prospects of the Nigerian community regarding the development of development.
The head of the state encouraged planters to go into the production of such necessary cash crops as water melon, cucumber, and carrot. Additionally, Samuel Ortom especially emphasized the urgent need to embrace dry season farming which is always more rewarding.
From his turn, Doctor Kpelai admitted that the Unified Standard Weights and Measures was the plan of Governor Ortom. He insisted on the creation of enabling atmosphere for customers and farmers to receive real value for their work and investments.
The Commissioner also added that the new sacks would improve agriculture activities and finish permanent farmers` perennial sufferings.
Source: NAIJ Nigeria.
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”.
