Agriculture
Expert Tasks Farmers Against Tree Felling
A forestry expert, Mr.
Fredrick Nwokocha has called on farmers in the State to minimise the felling of trees during the process of clearing and preparing their land for planting.
Nwokocha who spoke to our correspondent at the weekend decried the practice whereby most rural farmers burn down trees during the farming season.
A former Director of Forestry at the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, advocated for the protection of such trees instead of burning that pose danger to the environment.
According to him, trees serve as agents of moisture preservation to farmers and also help to protect crops like banana and plantain from strong winds.
On the belief by most rural farmers that burning of trees enhances crop yield and adds nutrients to the area, the forestry expert said such belief had no scientific proof.
He however stated that burning has long term effect on the crops, adding that farmers should not be deceived by the temporary looks on the crops.
On measures needed to check indiscriminate logging across the state, he advised that the government should engage more forest guards to complement the dwindling fortunes of the forests.
Highlighting further, he said tree planting campaigns should be sustained especially during the rainy season.
He expressed worry over the low level of tree planting sensitisation at the grassroots level, adding that the importance of tree planting among farmers could not be over emphasised.
According to him, “governments at the local government level through the various supervisors of agriculture and agric extension officers needed to come together in the fight against illegal and indiscriminate tree felling”.
He further explained that the Ministry of Agriculture has the capacity to provide tree seedlings to the various LGAs across the state to enable them win the war against deforestation and aforestation.
“I believe that the Ministry of Agriculture can provide enough seedlings to all the LGAs to enable them replenish the threatened forests across the state”, he said.
He further called on farmers to avail themselves of the services of agric extension officers at the Agricultural Development Projects (ADP) stations across the local government areas.
Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Emmanuel Chindah (left) chatting with his Perm Sec, Emmanuel Alex Hart (right) during 2013 World Food Day celebration at Isaac Boro park, Port Harcourt. Photo: Prince Obinnah Dele
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”.
