Agriculture
FG Raises Committee On Agric Produce Taxes
The Federal Government has constituted an Inter-Agency Committee to enforce ban on collection of levies and taxes on agricultural produce on highways.
A statement issued by the Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Mr Tony Ohaeri, in Abuja on Monday, said the committee was inaugurated by the Minister, Chief Audu Ogbeh.
The Tide source reports that the committee was constituted following recommendations of the Presidential Taskforce on increasing food prices set up in February by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Ogbeh had raised concerns about the illegal checkpoints and revenue collectors along transportation routes for food items, saying it had its impact on the current increase in the prices of food.
Ogbeh, represented by Dr Bukar Hassan, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said the committee had become imperative following non-compliance by relevant state agencies and local government authorities which charged multiple levies on agricultural produce.
He urged the committee to facilitate government’s directives on the multiple levies and un-authorised checkpoints during transportation of agricultural produce from one state to another.
“As stakeholders, we are aware of the incessant petitions by agro-commodities traders against the non-adherence of the implementation and abolition of multiple tax collection and levies on the highways.
“The minister has appealed to the 36 state governments and FCT, conveying the decision of the Federal Government on the subject matter to ensure total compliance of all parties.
“Local government authorities have continued to impose such levies and taxes on agricultural produce being moved through the highways,” he explained.
Ogbeh urged the committee to also work in accordance with the approval of the National Council on Agriculture.
He said the council had suggested a one stop inspection, grading and certification point of all agriculture produce during its transportation.
According to the minister, the certificate of clearance issued by one state should be accepted at all produce inspection posts throughout the country without an additional levy till the point of destination.
Some of the terms of reference to guide the committee Ogbeh said include; determining modalities to ensure the enforcement of the ban, and to secure state government commitment and compliance.
According to him, the committee is also to request state government’s restriction of relevant state agencies and local government authorities.
The statement quoted Alhaji Auwal Maidabino, the Chairman of the committee and Director of Planning and Policy Coordination in the ministry as saying “the committee would deliver the task given to them.”
Our correspondent reports that members of the committee were drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
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”.