Agriculture
Forum Harps On Return To Agric Extension System … Says It Will Curb Food Crisis, Hunger
The Chairman, Forum of Agricultural Development Programme Managers in Nigeria (ADPMN), Emmanuel Alanana, has called for a return to agricultural extension delivery system to curb the food crisis and hunger in the country.
He said the dearth of agricultural extension delivery system and inconsistency in policy formulation on agriculture were to be blamed for the current food crisis and hunger Nigerians are currently experiencing.
Alanana spoke on the current situation with journalists in Lafia, Nasarawa State and expressed worries that the government at all levels paid little or no attention to the sector over the years.
He said the forum was now working to achieve the revitalisation of Agricultural Extension Delivery system in Nigeria to save the country from its present crisis.
He also said already, the forum had already sent a bill to the National Assembly for consideration and passage to give legal backing to the revitalisation of the agriculture extension delivery system abandoned decades ago as one sure way to achieve food sufficiency in Nigeria.
He disclosed that measures were being put in place to address the food crisis and hunger in the country.
Alanana, who is the Manager, Nasarawa State Agricultural Development Programme, explained that the bill when passed and assented to by the President would open up more windows for agricultural activities, encourage farmers to return to farms and increase food production.
He further announced plans by the forum to establish an extension trust fund to energise the revitalisation of the system that would also raise all-year farming system.
“We have held strategic high-level meetings with Commissioners of agriculture, and permanent secretaries in the Ministry of Agriculture in the 36 states of the federation.
“The next level of the meeting will be with the governors in order for them to buy into the revitalisation policy.
“We must go back to agriculture not just agriculture, but to embrace the extension delivery system to guarantee good security.
“Extension Revitalisation policy will not only address the crisis of food insufficiency but provide the essentials for food production”, Alanana said.
The ADP Forum Chairman, while appealing to the governors to provide a certain percentage of allocations to agriculture in their various states, added that once the governors key into the system, food production would receive a boost.
Alanana, who, however, blamed the food crisis and hunger mainly on inconsistency in policy formulation on agriculture by some governors in Nigeria, called for the prompt release of funds meant for agricultural activities.
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”.