Agriculture
Investment In Agriculture Can Generate $50bn Forex – FACAN
The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN), Dr Victor Iyama, has said Nigeria’s agricultural sector has the potential to generate over $50 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), if there is proper investment in the sector.
Dr Iyama said this at the Agro-Commodity Roundtable Dialogue, Dinner and Recognition night organised by FACAN in Abuja.
The programme, themed “Building Stronger Economy through Agro-Commodity Value Chain Development and International Cooperation”, has in attendance several commodity associations and private sector investors both local and foreign based.
The FACAN BoT Chairman said the aim of the association is to grow the agricultural sector, increase the sector’s contribution to the GDP, and, most importantly, to be able to bring in the needed foreign exchange to the country.
“Agriculture alone can bring in about $50 billion if not more. So, every one of us should be ready to work towards that goal. I have always said it, the most important sector in this country today is agriculture.
“There are four areas that can make us double our foreign exchange earning to over $100 billion and they are agriculture, solid minerals, IT and entertainment industry”, he said.
According to him, if Nigeria decides to develop these sectors and concentrate on them, the country will witness improved foreign exchange earnings.
Iyama charged Nigerians to return to agriculture in order to create wealth, grow a sustainable food production strategy in order to feed this generation and the next.
“We should all go back to our agriculture; one thing that can never finish or dry up is the soil, that is where we get all the food and solid minerals.
“The first thing is for all of us gathered her to look inwards, the wealth is in this country, it is not outside and we must all put our hands together to make sure that we harness the wealth of this country for the benefits of the generations unborn”, he added.
In his address, the President of FACAN, Alhaji Sheriff Balogun, informed the gathering that FACAN started with just 10 commodity associations, but currently it boasts of over 42 commodity associations.
He said with the support of members and partners in the agricultural sector, a pathway would be forged to improve the country’s agriculture.
“FACAN from humble beginning of about 10 commodity associations is now boasting of over 42 registered associations. With your support and partnership, we will forge a path that not only improve agriculture in Nigeria but contribute to our national growth and prosperity”, he said.
Balogun said FACAN will collaborate with government to ensure that the government realises the objectives of its agricultural policies
“It is a new dawn for in FACAN, we have been the business of promoting agriculture for the past 10 years, and we will continue to do that especially now that government has declared state of emergency on food, FACAN will collaborate with the government to ensure that the government realises the objective of its policy.
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”.
