Agriculture
Plans To Export Yam Excite Rivers Farmers
The plans to embark on yam exportation by the Federal Government have sparked excitement among farmers in Rivers State.
Some farmers, who spoke with The Tide in Port Harcourt, Monday said the plans should be substantive and not otherwise.
A farmer, Mr. Gabriel Okolo, said that the Federal Government’s initiatives was timely, going by the recession in the country.
He noted that such plans, if upheld, would encourage yam farming in this country.
Okolo maintained that lack of support from the government was part of the reasons for poor yam production in Nigeria.
In his views Amadi Bobby Ezeji, noted that, yam production was a tedious business and needed a huge backing from the conconated authorities.
He told The Tide that venturing into yam exportation should be greeted with both hands so as to boast yam farming.
Eze-ji, explained how the project would turn many to yam farmers, saying that farming should be encouraged at all levels.
Also speaking, another yam farmer, Mrs. Rose Obi, feared that government agents would still sabotage the project.
She reasoned that, upon full commencement of the scheme, all government agents and others would become yam farmers, thereby denying the real farmers the opportunity.
Obi pointed out that, if the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development could set an unbiased measurement for the project, yam farmers would key in and make it a success.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development had announced that, it would soon embark on yam exportation as part of efforts to boost the country’s economy.
Agriculture
FG, Ogun Distribute Inputs To 2,400 Farmers
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.
Agriculture
Niger Allocates 10,000 Hectares For Smallholder Farmers
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.
Agriculture
GO-CARES: Gombe Empowers 573,429 Farmers, Entrepreneurs
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”.
-
News3 days ago
FG Denies Appointing Ambassadors, Urges Nigerians To Disregard Fake List
-
News3 days ago
Ondo Election: INEC Blames Banking Errors As Ad-hoc Staff Demand Payments
-
News2 days ago
Amidst Attempts To Starve Us Of Funds, We’re Still Providing Services, Projects -Fubara
-
Business3 days ago
Free Meter Distribution: FG Deducts N700bn From Federation Account
-
Rivers2 days ago
RSG Gives Illegal Dump Site Operators Quit Notice
-
News3 days ago
FG Partners Pakistan To Boost Food Security
-
News3 days ago
One Killed, Suspects Arrested As Gombe Youths, Herdsmen Clash
-
News2 days ago
RSG Set To Demolish Shanties, Gives Seven-Day Ultimatum