Agriculture
Firm Seeks Youth Involvement In Dairy Production
An agricultural company, REAL People Concept, with major focus on livestock production, has initiated advocacy for the involvement of youth in dairy production.
Managing Director of the company, Mr Tunmise Olagbaju, who made this known during a workshop organised by the company in commemoration of the year 2022 World Milk Day celebration, said this is with the sole aim of ensuring abundant milk supply to Nigerians.
Speaking on the theme: “Empowering Youth For Sustainable Dairy Production In Nigeria”, Olagbaju said the essence of the gathering was to bring together the actors and stakeholders in the dairy industry to drive support for participation and engagement of youth in dairy development.
“We realised that we have huge deficit when it comes to our milk production and productivity in Nigeria. So, we need young people to come into dairy production, particularly so that we can take advantage of the massive opportunities that exist in the dairy industry”, he said.
In his keynote address at the event, Provost, Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology (FCAH&PT), Ibadan, Dr Adekoya Owosibo, stated that the theme of the workshop truly reflects the current trends, recent advances and new approaches in the Nigerian dairy value chain.
He further noted that “milk has always been a healthy drink because of the high range of nutrients it contains. It is primary source of nutrition for infant mammals before it can digest any other type of food.
“Apart from being a great source of nutrition, milk and dairy products are also a means of livelihood for nearly a billion people across the globe.
“Today, the rate of unemployment and youth restiveness is alarming. Dairy industry provides a wide range of opportunity for youth to earn income, create wealth and contribute to sustainable food production, thereby reducing over dependence on import”, he said.
The General Manager, Dairy Development Operations Friesland Campina, Nigeria Plc, John Adekunle Olayiwola, in his address to participants, charged them on the implications of the workshop.
“I believe, this is an opportunity for you as young people and as leaders, to play a key role in taking our country Nigeria, and our people on a journey towards greater prosperity.
“This would also result to an increasingly vibrant future fueled by your enthusiasm, your passion and, of course, through more inclusive and collective efforts.
“As young leaders, I encourage you to think critically about the role of governance and transparency and how these need to be central tenets in building a strong future for Nigeria in the dairy world, which in turn will support the GDP of the country and provide employment for our youth and generations to come”, stated.
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”.
