Agriculture
Price Of Yam Rises In Jos
Following the persistent crises rocking Jos, the price of yams have skyrocketed in the Plateau capital and its environs.
A market survey by our correspondent showed that the price hike was due to inadequate supply from yam farmers who live in rural areas of the state.
Our correspondent learnt that the scarcity of the tubers was worsened by the refusal of some drivers to convey them from the hinterland to the metropolis for fear of being attack.
The few drivers who were willing to take the risk, had increased the transportation cost from N60,000 to N90,000 per truck load.
A source in one of the markets disclosed that due to insecurity in the Plateau, drivers conveying yams from Bauchi to Jos spent up to seven hours on the road instead of the usual two hours.
Asked for his reaction to the high cost of yams, Alhaji Maigari Lamido, the Chairman, Yam Sellers Association in Jos, blamed the situation on the state of insecurity in the Plateau.
He said that many vehicle owners had stopped their drivers from conveying yams from the southern part of Plateau to Jos for fear that their vehicles might be attacked.
Lamido also complained about the scarcity of diesel along the Jos-Bauchi Road, adding that the few traders who take the risk could not but increase their transportation cost to compensate for the loss they might incur.
Consequently, 50 yam tubers that sold for N7,000 before the crises, now cost are now N10,000, while 60 tubers has increased from N10,000 to N13,000.
He called for peaceful existence between the various ethnic groups in the state to end the hardship suffered by the people.
Meanwhile Vegetable sellers at the building materials market in Jos have complained of low patronage due to the incessant crises rocking the city.
Mr Christopher Audu, the Chairman, vegetables and potatoes section of the market, told the our correspondent in Jos that patronage had been “very low lately.’’
He said that most of their customers who usually come from outside the state, were “too scared” to come to the city.
“Currently, we have a glut of vegetables wasting away without buyers; we are forced to sell at give-away prices because supply is much higher than available demand, ’’ explained.
He described the situation as ‘sad’ since vegetables were perishable.
Audu, however, assured buyers of their safety, adding that the market authority had made adequate security arrangement to ensure that lives and properties were adequately secured.
“We have soldiers and policemen who stay with us to ensure that there is no breach of law and order; there is no problem in the market.
“Our customers are therefore, encouraged to come and transact their businesses because the market is fully secured and peace has now returned in the state,” he said.
It was gathered that a basket of tomatoes that usually cost N5,000 is now being sold for N1,500, while a bag of green pepper that goes for N1,000 as against N2,000 before the crises.
The prices of cabbages, peas and green beans have also slumped due to low demand.
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”.
