NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
FG’s reforms to crash food prices – Minister
Agriculture

FG’s reforms to crash food prices – Minister

27 total views today

By Hamza Suleiman

The Federal Government says its agricultural reforms are designed to ensure food availability, affordability and accessibility for all Nigerians.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this to newsmen in Maiduguri.

Kyari highlighted the government’s ongoing interventions in the agricultural sector to tackle food insecurity and revive the national economy.

He said the ministry had adopted a multi-pronged strategy to confront challenges such as insecurity, flooding, and import dependency, particularly in critical areas like wheat and rice production.

“As part of efforts to reduce the over six million tonnes of wheat currently imported annually, we have launched a national wheat farming programme,” Kyari said.

He noted that Cross River had become the first southern state to join the wheat production drive, marking a significant milestone in diversifying the crop’s geographic spread.

Kyari also said fertiliser distribution under the programme had boosted rice production by 58,000 tonnes, enabling the Federal Government to subsidise rice supply to states affected by flooding.

“In addition to wheat, the ministry has championed a successful rice programme, leading to positive harvests nationwide,” he said.

The minister stressed the need to protect both consumers and producers, noting that “80 per cent of our food is produced by local farmers.

“Our immediate priority is to address affordability and ensure every Nigerian has access to safe and nutritious food,” Kyari said.

With Nigeria’s population projected to reach 400 million by 2050, Kyari said the government was focused on mechanised agriculture and youth empowerment to guarantee long-term food security.

He said that the government was also working to restore national assets, including tractors and essential equipment to boost productivity.

To reduce post-harvest losses, Kyari announced a bilateral agreement with Brazil focused on the preservation, processing, and storage of perishable food items.

He also said Nigeria had partnered with Belarus to provide aggregation services aimed at significantly increasing output.

The minister warned against misuse of government-supplied agricultural machinery, urging farmers to make judicious use of such equipment.

He further revealed that only three of Nigeria’s silo sites were currently functional, but plans were underway to reactivate the remaining facilities.

“The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security will collaborate with stakeholders to ensure these critical storage facilities are fully utilised,” Kyari said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed

Taraba community seeks strict enforcement of open grazing prohibition law
Agriculture

Taraba community seeks strict enforcement of open grazing prohibition law

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By Martins Abochol
The Munga Dosso Community in Karim- Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba has appealed to the state government to ensure strict enforcement of its anti-open grazing law to address herders and farmers conflict in the state.
Mr Robert Bukar, Youth Leader of the community, made the appeal on Monday, while briefing newsmen in Jalingo.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Munga Dosso Community came under attack recently by suspected herders, where scores were killed and property worth millions of naira were destroyed.
Bukar noted that the bill was signed into law by former Gov. Darius Ishaku in 2018.
He said that the enforcement of the law would address the lingering farmers/herders’ conflict.
He also decried absence of government representatives in the crisis affected community.
The youth leader also said that the community was left to its fate at the time its 12 members were killed by suspected herders and were given mass burial.
“Notably, no government representatives from federal, state, or local levels visited the community after this incident.
“We have a senator, a House of Representatives member, a state assembly member, yet non deemed it necessary to visit us and to listen to our lamentations.
“As a peace-loving community, we always report all incidents and seek assistance from security agencies.
However, we were disappointed by the lack of government representation at the mass burial, where officials failed to commiserate with our people.
“It is true that the state government sent relief materials to the victims but relief materials is not our problem. We expected their solidarity at the time.
“The aftermath of such violence has tragically resulted in not only fatalities but also a significant number of injuries and displacements.
“It has led to a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent attention. Families are left to mourn their loved ones, while survivors grapple with trauma and insecurity.
“Access to essential resources has become increasingly challenging, complicating efforts for community stability.
“Moreover, in all these, our people are often arrested and from police station to prison but none of the perpetrators are brought to justice.
“It is only in the recent crisis that the herders were arrested with assault rifles by the police in Karim-Lamido but were released the next day,” Bukar said.
The youth leader also appealed to government to increase security deployment to allow farmers to safely return to their farms.
He also requested Taraba Government to ensure that the recently constituted administrative committee of enquiry carry out a thorough investigation to apprehend and punish the perpetrators of the recent attacks. (NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Gabriel Yough
FG assures farmers of security support
Agriculture

FG assures farmers of security support

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By Ibrahim Ahmad
The Federal Government has assured farmers of adequate security to return to their farmlands ahead of this year’s rainy season to boost agricultural activities nationwide.

Minister of State for Defence, Alh. Bello Matawalle, made this known during an interview with journalists in Maradun, Zamafara.

He said forest guards had been deployed to secure farmlands, and modern surveillance technology was being used to monitor and combat criminal activities.

“We are taking all necessary steps to ensure farmers return safely to their farms with full protection from any security threats across the country,” Matawalle stated.

He added that the government plans to develop indigenous defence and warfare systems to address security challenges and potentially supply them to other countries.

Matawalle urged governors to provide logistics support, including accommodation, operational vehicles, and intelligence gathering, to assist in securing rural communities.

He criticised some governors for engaging in blame games rather than supporting Federal Government’s efforts in addressing insecurity.

He stressed that security is everyone’s responsibility and called for public support for President Bola Tinubu’s combined military and non-military strategies to end criminality nationwide. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
Revamp of grazing reserves, milk, beef production on course – Ajimobi
Agriculture

Revamp of grazing reserves, milk, beef production on course – Ajimobi

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By Akeem Abas

Alhaji Idris Ajimobi, Special Adviser on Livestock Development to President Bola Tinubu, has reminded Nigerians that the nation’s livestock reforms are on course.

Ajimobi, speaking to newsmen in Ibadan on Sunday, however, called for unity, more stakeholder engagement and public sensitisation for a successful implementation.

He noted that 50 per cent of the Livestock Ministry’s job was to tackle, by significantly reducing the recurring farmers-herders’ crises across the country.

According to Ajimobi, the son of the late Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, clashes between farmers and herders stem from the lack of clean water and food for livestock.

Ajimobi said the ministry was now involving all stakeholders, having identified past failures of exclusion and poor coordination.

He revealed that Nigeria has over hundred grazing reserves with only the recently launched reserve in Niger functioning.

Ajimobi said that while some of the reserves had become uninhabitable, hence requiring major intervention, the government was interested in reviving them all.

He said that discussions were ongoing with local and foreign partners to revive at least three grazing reserves in the next 18 months.

Ajimobi said that the ministry would also promote local dairy and beef production to reduce importation, while targeting a pack of milk and an egg per day for every child.

He said that Nigerians must be educated to explore the economic opportunities in livestock beyond meat and milk, lamenting the waste of the money-making opportunities in cow by-products.

Ajimobi, acknowledging the current economic pains, urged Nigerians to be patient with the Tinubu-led administration as the gains of ongoing reforms manifest.

He said the ongoing reforms, once set upon a solid foundation, would lead to a fairer system that would benefit many rather than a few privileged ones.

The president’s aide, however, said that farmers must form cooperatives to increase impact, adding that unity among farmers would make them unstoppable.

Ajimobi expressed the desire to serve the people of Oyo State and Nigeria in the future, but remained focused on delivering impactful results in his current role under Tinubu.

“I still have a burning desire to serve the people of Oyo State and Nigeria at large, should the opportunity arise.

“However, for now, I remain fully committed to my current assignment and to delivering a thriving livestock sector better than what we have today,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Moses Solanke

Ebonyi Govt. offsets N300m IFAD-VCDP counterpart fund—Commissioner
Agriculture

Ebonyi Govt. offsets N300m IFAD-VCDP counterpart fund—Commissioner

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By Chukwuemeka Opara

The Ebonyi Government says it has paid off its N300 million counterpart fund to the International Fund for Agricultural Development’s (IFAD) assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) from 2023.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mrs Nkechinyere Iyioku, disclosed this in Abakaliki during a pre-mission stakeholders’ meeting on VDCP project performance evaluation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise was conducted by IFAD’s Independent Evaluation Office.

Iyioku said that the government released N100 million for the counterpart fund in 2023 and N200 million in 2024.

“The counterpart fund for 2025 will be released soon as the state government is happy with the performance of IFAD–VCDP in the state.

“IFAD–VCDP has greatly contributed in enhancing agriculture in the state and the state government is always ready to collaborate with it,” she said.

The commissioner expressed optimism that the evaluation team would rate Ebonyi first among the other states earmarked for the evaluation, which includes Nasarawa and Niger.

“We are not competing with anyone but we have done enough to deserve the top spot,” she said.

She appealed to IFAD–VCDP to extend its operations in the state to 13 local government areas, instead of the current eight.

“Stakeholders from the remaining five LGAs have been clamouring for inclusion in IFAD’s operations and we can’t keep assuring them,” she said.

The leader of the IFAD pre-mission team, Usman Damata, said the evaluators operated independently to ascertain if IFAD had achieved its objectives or not.

Damata said that evaluators’ reports were not disclosed to anyone, except the IFAD board itself.

“We at the National Office are happy that they chose Ebonyi for evaluation because we know the good things the state is doing.

“We are optimistic that they will have good assessment to make on Ebonyi.

“The report on Ebonyi will have effect on what is happening in the South-East zone, especially Anambra and Enugu, and also on Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

The state’s IFAD-VCDP Programme Manager, Mr Sunday Ituma, said the meeting was to share with stakeholders and farmers the responses provided for the questions they would be asked during the evaluation.

“This will enable them take a cue from the responses because whatever they answer is what the evaluators will take.

“All we seek is fair assessment and criticism and not what is not true about us,” he said.

NAN reports that goodwill messages were delivered at the event by the state’s Ministry of Finance, House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, as well as agro dealers, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Mark Longyen

Eid-el-Kabir: Taraba traditional ruler tasks subjects on agri-business devt.
Agriculture

Eid-el-Kabir: Taraba traditional ruler tasks subjects on agri-business devt.

77 total views today

By Martins Abochol

His Royal Highness, Idris Chiroma, the Emir of Gassol, Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba, has advised his people to adopt farming as a means of economic empowerment.

Chiroma gave the advice on Saturday in his Sallah massage to the people of Gassol.

The royal father noted that agriculture was the main sector that was still open to all as a source of economic empowerment and urged the people to put in their best efforts in tilling the vast arable land in the area.

According to him, the land is available, and there are also friendly laws guiding agricultural practices in the state.

He, therefore, advised the youths to shun all social vices and extremism and key into the agricultural transformation vision of Gov. Agbu Kefas of Taraba.

Chiroma also advised residents to ensure peaceful coexistence and imbibe the spirit of tolerance and unity during and after the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

The traditional ruler emphasised that Islam was a religion of peace, and so the Almighty God would punish all those perpetrating evil using His name. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

VC advocates agroecology to boost nation’s food security
Agriculture

VC advocates agroecology to boost nation’s food security

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By Peter Okolie

Prof. Christopher Eze, Vice Chancellor of University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo, Imo, has advocated the adoption of agroecology to boost food production and ensure national food security.

 

Eze made the call at a one-day sensitisation workshop on MSc Agroecology and Food System programme at the institution’s campus in Umuagwo near Owerri on Friday.

 

The Vice Chancellor said embracing smart agriculture and modern farming techniques would enhance crop yields and improve the country’s agricultural sector.

 

He said Nigeria and West Africa’s horticulture and forests are faced with challenges like low soil fertilities, nutrient deficiencies, weed pressure, irrigation system and salination, pest and disease, among others.

 

“Agroecology practices can help overcome these issues and optimise nutrients and carbon balance, improving soil fertility, aggregate stability, water holding capacity, organic matter nutrient availability and PH regulation in a most harmless manner to the soil.

 

“Our farming system needs a comprehensive resetting, incorporating animal manure management, mulch forage legumes to improve crop yields and address challenges like soils erosion, climate change and biodiversity losses,” he noted.

 

Eze said an MSc in Agroecology would not only improve quality of food and lives, but would provide agricultural stakeholders with knowledge, skills and competencies in the field of agroecological approaches and advanced technologies in the agricultural system.

 

He commended the Visitor of the University and Governor of Imo, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, for his visionary leadership, foresight and unparalleled support to the institution over the years.

 

He said the university which was established in 2020 had gained international collaborations resulting in two European Union (EU) funded projects in the university – the Digital Solution to Agriculture (DIGISOL) and the Agrecofarm project.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Prof. Emmanuel Onweremadu, delivered a keynote paper entitled “Innovation in AgrecoFarm: A sine qua non for food security, environmental sustainability and land degradation neutrality,” at the occasion.

 

Onweremadu, a professor of soil science and technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, stated that land, population, poverty, and environmental degradation are linked to food insecurity, reduced nutritional value, and biodiversity decline.

 

He further expressed concerns over the alarming rate of physical, chemical and biological degradation affecting tropical soils in the country, calling for a reverse of the situation for improved and quality food production.

 

Speaking on an “Overview of the MSc Agroecology and Food Systems programme” at the university, Prof. Rose Nwabueze, said the programme was developed under the Agrecofarm project.

 

Nwabueze said Agrecofarm project was co-founded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union Commission.

 

According to her, the project is funding capacity building in higher education institutions in three West African countries – Ghana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

 

“The core idea is to engage in applied research in agroecology techniques for sustainable agricultural productions, reset farming system, and create environmentally friendly farming system that benefits people and the planet,” she noted.

 

NAN further reports that a third paper entitled “Career Path in Agroecology: A roadmap to sustainable agriculture and food security,” was delivered by Prof. Anthony Onyekuru from the university.

 

The International Coordinator of the programme, Prof. Pietro Picuno, who joined the workshop virtually, expressed optimism that the programme would ensure the survival of agricultural projects and help improve agricultural techniques in Nigeria and West Africa.

 

In an interview, the Coordinator of the programme in the institution, Dr Vitus Enwerem, said the programme is aimed at boosting governments’ efforts at sustainable food security in the country.

 

“The programme is introducing sustainable good agronomic practices not just for students to benefit but for rural farmers and farmer associations to equally improve their yields.

 

“The way population is exploding, we need to equally take care of the environment or risk destroying our soil health.

 

“We are calling on students to enroll in the programme as there are lots of prospects including self-employment after study,” Enwerem, who is also the Associate Dean of the Postgraduate School of the university, stated. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Digital farmers’ registry ‘ll enhance food systems transformation – Stakeholders
Agriculture

Digital farmers’ registry ‘ll enhance food systems transformation – Stakeholders

148 total views today

By Felicia Imohimi

Stakeholders in the Agriculture sector have identified a unified National Digital Farmers Registry (NDFR) as pivotal to scaling up innovative technology for enhanced food system.

The stakeholders include Federal Government, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Heifer International and other partners.

Dr Lekan Tobe, Country Director, Heifer International, Nigeria, on Wednesday in Abuja, said a sustainable digital farmers registry was pivotal for an efficient and effective food system.

According to him, this will avoid duplication of intervention by different actors.

Tobe, in his presentation tagged, “Towards a NDFR in Nigeria: How Might We Work Together?” said that it would also promote harmony and synergy in the delivery of digitally enabled services.

“It will ensure data driven decision making system to support targeted advisory, access to services, financial support information, integrated solutions considering the ecosystem and the available solutions among others,” he said.

He identified the context of the registry project as supporting improved coordination among food system actors for better deployment of resources including infrastructure.

The country director emphasised that equitable distribution of agricultural solutions would be achieved through a well-functioning NDFR among others.

Similarly, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, described NDFR as the foundation for evidence-based planning, targeted intervention, policy making and accountability in the agricultural ecosystem.

According to him, NDFR allows us to identify and reach the real farmers with the right support, eliminate inefficiency, and ensure that resources are aligned with national priorities.

“With a credible farmers’ registry, we can ensure that inputs reaching the intended beneficiaries that support programmes, are tailored to the actual needs of our farmers and that government interventions yield the desired impact.

“Moreover, it will empower financial institutions, agribusinesses, insurers, and other stakeholders to engage with our farmers with clarity, confidence, and precision,” he said.

In the same vein, IFAD Country Director, Dede Ekoue said the dialogue was geared toward kick starting the process of NDFR that would be domiciled at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

Ekoue, who identified partnership as key to ensuring effective implementation of NDFR, solicited stakeholders’ partnership with the government to put in place a strong registry.

She noted that data was the foundation for everything; from policy to investment as it provide farmers with the best solution, adding that the registry would be a game changer.

According to her, NDFR initiative will be implemented by IFAD digital innovation action plan in collaboration with other stakeholders.

“The initiative will include comprehensive profiles of farmers, covering their farms, crop types, locations, financial status, soil types and production scales.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Esenvosa Izah/Deborah Coker

Niger, AGRA train 1,000 women, youths on livestock production
Agriculture

Niger, AGRA train 1,000 women, youths on livestock production

136 total views today

By Rita Iliya
The Niger Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries has trained 1,000 youths and women on livestock production to boost animal production in the state.

Mr Jonathan Wasa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, said this during the livestock entrepreneurship training for youths across Niger.

Wasa, who was represented by Abbas Mohammed, Director of Animal Production in the ministry, said the training was in partnership with Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

He said that 50 beneficiaries would be trained in the first phase with two persons selected from each of the 25 local government areas of the state.

“We decided to synergise with AGRA to train our women and youths to change their mindset in animal rearing to improve livestock production in the state.

“The aim is to transform our food system, support smallholder farmers as well as make our youths self-reliant,” he said.

The permanent secretary added that the training was also for the beneficiaries to get acquainted with the realities on ground.

“The plan was that the beneficiaries would be empowered financially and given basic tools and materials to start up livestock production,” Wasa said.

Speaking, Dr Matthew Ahmed, the Permanent Secretary, Niger Ministry of Agriculture, advised the beneficiaries to acquire skills on livestock production that would be beneficial to them.

In his remarks, Mr Godswill Aguiyi, the Programme Officer of AGRA in Niger, advised the beneficiaries to see the training as an opportunity to venture into businesses and enhance the agricultural sector.

He said that the aim of the training was to transform the food system, support smallholder farmers and help the youths become self-reliant.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training covered topics such as livestock production economics, business and pasture developments. (NAN)

Edited by Chidi Opara

Adamawa Govt., L-PRES train 120 farmers on livestock productivity, climate change
Agriculture

Adamawa Govt., L-PRES train 120 farmers on livestock productivity, climate change

132 total views today

By Talatu Maiwada

The Adamawa Ministry of Livestock and Aquaculture Development, in collaboration with Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project, has commenced training of 120 farmers on modern livestock management and climate change.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that L-PRES is a six-year development project funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and the World Bank.

Mr Tijjani Marksha, Commissioner for Livestock and Aquaculture Development, made this known on Wednesday, in Yola during a training workshop on Production and Technology Adoption Survey and Analysis.

Marksha, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Malam Suleiman Mohammed, commended L-PRES for its impactful and transformative initiatives.

“L-PRES is doing excellently well, and we appreciate their efforts in training our farmers to enhance livestock productivity in the state.

“This is the eighth in a series of workshops held this year, as knowledge remains crucial to achieving sustainable development.” he said

The commissioner also acknowledged the support of Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri in ensuring the successful implementation of the project in the state.

Also speaking, the Adamawa State Project Coordinator L-PRES, Mr Alfa Secondee, said the initiative aims to improve livestock productivity across the state.

“Globally, knowledge is key to achieving any developmental strides.

“That is why it is important to train and retrain our farmers to meet the key performance indicators of the L-PRES project,” Secondee said.

He explained that participants would be trained on modern technologies, including the use of smartphones to monitor climate change and its impacts on livestock productivity.

According to him, of the 120 participants, 21 are Divisional Livestock Officers from each local government area, including personnel from livestock pasture development units and local farmers.

In his remarks, Dr Ibrahim Bayaso, the lead facilitator, said the training was designed to build farmers’ capacity in climate change adaptation, mitigation, and resilience strategies.

“It is important to note that livestock and agriculture contribute to greenhouse gas emissions through fertiliser use and animal waste.

“In Nigeria, we must embrace sustainable land management by applying technology in land clearing, planting, fertiliser application, and livestock handling,” he said.

Bayaso emphasised the need for farmers to transition from traditional grazing practices, which deplete animals’ energy and negatively impact milk production, soil, and vegetation.

He urged participants to adopt a change in mindset to enhance livestock productivity and environmental sustainability, through technology.

A participant, Mrs Glandu Sajo, Divisional Livestock Officer (DLO) for Fufore LGA, lauded L-PRES for the training, describing it as timely and impactful.

“We have learned a lot about climate change in relation to livestock production; this workshop has been life-changing and it will certainty improve our productivity,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker

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