Agriculture
Cleric Backs Call For Agric Sector Rejuvenation
The Chancellor, Landmark
University, Omu-Aran, Kwara, Bishop David Oyedepo, says Nigeria’s situation required an urgent rejuvenation of agriculture as an alternative to the dwindling oil revenue.
Oyedepo made the assertion during the University’s sixth matriculation ceremony in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State recenlty.
The Tide source reports that Oyedepo was represented by Prof. Charles Ayo, the Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Ota in Ogun State.
He spoke on the topic, “Marketing Agriculture to Secure the Destiny of a Nation”.
The chancellor said the crash in crude oil prices globally, with its attendant depreciation of the naira, had further validated calls for Nigeria’s commitment to driving agriculture as a panacea for economic downturn.
“With the All Share Index (ALSI) and market capitalisation dropping, excess crude account shrinking, foreign reserve dropping and Naira band being devalued, it is obvious the economic outlook for Africa’s largest economy appears to be gloomy.’’
According to him, this is more so with the fall in oil prices.
He said food insecurity had become a major global concern as over one billion people, the world over, were suffering from starvation and malnutrition.
“Regrettably, Nigeria has transitioned from being a self-sufficient country in food to being a worrisome importer of agricultural produce.
“This dire situation calls for urgency in rejuvenating agriculture as a viable alternative to the dwindling oil-dependent economy.
“Nigeria has a land area of 98.3 million ha; 74 million ha of this is good for farming, but less than half is being explored,’’ the chancellor said.
Oyedepo said the nation’s economic situation accounted for the institution’s efforts to become a leading world class University, which would spearhead an agrarian revolution to solve the country’s food insufficiency and poverty challenges.
The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aize Obayan, said the institution had recently embarked on an initiative on its research farm, involving the cultivation of one hectare of rice.
“We actually cultivated the land and planted the rice in September 2015 and by November, we harvested; most of the produce were available in time for Christmas and New Year,” Obayan said.
No fewer than 513 fresh intakes were matriculated by the University for its 2015/2016 academic session at the ceremony.
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”.
