Agriculture
Deploy Inmates To Farms For Agric Revival -Social Crusader
The foremost social crusader, Samuel Ukwunetu Ali, has advocated for the deployment of unused potential in all the Correctional Centres across the Country to the agricultural sector as a remedy for the unfortunate national, social and economic woes.
Ali advised on a proposal he submitted to the Federal Government of Nigeria, entitled: “Optimal Strategies For Reviving The Agricultural Sector In Nigeria Via The Engagement Of Inmates Of The Nigeria Custodian Centers”, a copy of which was made available to Journalists.
Ukwunetu Ali, who is the author of the popular book, entitled: “A Compendium of Biographies of Senator Oluremi Bola Tinubu, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Other Notable Women As A Panacea To Negligence Of Girl-Child Education In Nigeria”, said, “The first primary needs of man are usually food, and this can only be achieved through farming.
“Hence, the ability for Government to convert its human resources into agriculture, makes her a better society that would be envied.
“To revive the agricultural fortune of Nigeria and to varnish acute hunger, a concerted effort should be made to ensure that agricultural policies are tailored toward making farming attractive to the teeming youths across the country.
“The founding fathers of the nation made a conscious effort and produced policies that made farming the mainstay of the people. That mainstreaming Agriculture has earned tremendous growth and self-sufficiency of the country.”
He lamented that the effort of the Government of the First Republic in creating food sufficiency was wiped out with the lacklustre activities towards agriculture by the successive administrations, adding that while the first Republic economy which was based on agriculture was paired with most Asian and some European countries, noted that oil boom of the 70s created armies of present economic and starvation starring the people in the face
Ali pointed out that the successive administrations had tried to revive agriculture and put the Country on the path of growth again, but the challenges of corruption, free money from oil and policy inconsistencies had become the albatross that had kept the people on their knees, saying many agricultural initiatives in Nigeria had ailed since her independence due to corruption or lack of political will as well as the faulty foundation on which the Government was attempting to build those policies.
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”.
