NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
FG declares national emergency on food security
Agriculture , Food Security

FG declares national emergency on food security

667 total views today

By Tosin Kolade

President Bola Tinubu on Monday declared a national emergency on food security, urging expanded irrigation infrastructure and participatory water resource management nationwide.

Tinubu made the declaration while opening the 6th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage in Abuja.

He was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume.

He urged African nations to adopt innovative strategies in addressing the continent’s irrigation and water management challenges.

He described the conference theme, “Tackling Irrigation Development and Water Management Crisis in Africa”, as a clarion call to action for sustainable agriculture and economic resilience.

“Africa continues to face major challenges in unlocking its irrigation potential due to inadequate infrastructure, financial constraints, climate change, and governance issues.

“This conference offers a vital platform for us to collectively chart a path forward”.

Tinubu stated that the country had more than 3.1 million hectares of irrigable land located around key river basins such as the Niger and Benue.

In his remarks, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said the government had completed several landmark initiatives under the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project.

He announced that its successor, the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project, would address outstanding gaps while optimising the economic value of water resources to support food security.

“With the TRIMING project winding down, Nigeria is poised to begin implementation of the SPIN project in partnership with the World Bank.

“This initiative will consolidate on the successes of TRIMING and expand our irrigation potential,” Utsev said.

According to the minister, the TRIMING project, which spanned more than seven years, delivered notable achievements, including the completion of the Dadin-Kowa and Bakolori irrigation schemes and 90 per cent completion of the Middle Rima Valley irrigation project.

It also supported ongoing interventions in Ondo, Kwara, Benue, Kebbi, Edo, Adamawa, and Oyo States.

He also noted that the project established Water Users Associations (WUAs), farmer management centres, and supported market linkages for key value chains such as rice and tomato.

The minister further revealed that River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) had developed more than 153,000 hectares of irrigable land and were being partially commercialised to attract private sector investment.

He also referenced the 2025 Flood Outlook and Risk Management Strategy, aimed at minimising flood-related impacts on agriculture.

“This conference is a platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and collective commitment to resolving Africa’s pressing irrigation and water management issues,” he added.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Didi Wilson-Jack, called for renewed commitment across all tiers of government to ensure national food security.

Former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Godknows Igali, underscored the urgency of strategic planning, particularly in the face of Nigeria’s growing population.

He stressed the importance of professional staffing and proper management of river basins, adding that sub-national governments must play an active role in water governance and food systems.

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, raised concerns over the shrinking farming seasons caused by climate change, warning that unpredictable rainfall patterns were creating uncertainty among farmers.

“Our fertile lands are turning to dust. Irrigation is now a necessity, not a luxury.

“Innovation must not be seen as a privilege of the few, we must empower women and youth who are at the frontline of agriculture,” Zulum said

He appealed to development partners to show greater responsiveness to the challenges of water access and rural farming in Africa.

President of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), Dr Marco Arcieri, described the conference as both timely and essential.

“This could be a turning point. We’ve celebrated big ideas and set tangible goals to confront the pressing challenges.

“We remain committed to supporting Africa as it faces population growth and climate stress,” Arcieri stated.

It may be recalled that he had earlier addressed participants at the Young Professionals’ Forum, a pre-conference event which gathered emerging leaders in irrigation and water management across Africa.

Arcieri emphasised the role of young professionals in driving sustainable solutions to the continent’s water challenges.

Mr Ibrahim Musa, who leads the African Regional Working Group, expressed optimism that the conference would lead to innovative approaches and actionable outcomes in addressing Africa’s unique irrigation development needs.

The conference continues in Abuja until April 17, with technical sessions, policy dialogues, and field visits to irrigation sites across Nigeria. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

L-PRES Coordinator seeks private sector support for livestock growth
Agriculture , Food Security

L-PRES Coordinator seeks private sector support for livestock growth

658 total views today

By Felicia Imohimi

The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project has called for collaboration with the private sector to boost commercial livestock farming, increase productivity, and strengthen the resilience of targeted livestock production systems across Nigeria.

Mr Sanusi Abubakar, National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, made the call at the Value Chain Enhancement and Infrastructure Clinic for Effective Livestock Supply Chain and Market Orientation on Wednesday in Abuja.

Abubakar identified the Project Development Objective (PDO) as improving productivity, commercialisation, and resilience of targeted production systems in Nigeria, as well as strengthening resilience to climate change, environmental degradation, and farmer/herder conflicts.

“We cannot attain the heights, than to join hands together, cross-fertilise our ideas, tap from your expertise, professionalism through your various mandates in livestock value chain enhancement and agribusiness with the supervision of Ministry of Livestock Development key and World Bank Group.

“L-PRES beneficiaries are being profiled in a water-tight database and mapped in organic clusters/groups identification and formation across the various local governments in the 20 participating states to aid seamless implementation and achieve the PDO.

“The six livestock value chains supported by the project are beef, dairy, piggery, poultry, sheep and goat, hides and skin,” he said.

The national project coordinator noted that the project was deliberate and intentional in the inclusion of youth and women in livestock farming, in order to bridge generational gaps.

Abubakar said the main objective of the L-PRES strategy was to achieve productive alliances, benefit from common facilities and infrastructure, and ensure a well-coordinated Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in investment across “our Value Chain Hub (VCHs) and Livestock Service Centres (LSCs)”.

According to him, this approach would further optimise the livestock supply chain, strengthen value chain market linkages, and support market development, among other benefits.

Abubakar described the gathering as important, saying it aimed to address the core concerns of the project, as “necessitated for sustainability by our livestock beneficiaries across the participating states and multiplying effects of the country’s economy as a whole”.

He emphasised that these objectives could be realised through the development of the livestock sector and the achievement of the project’s result framework.

“This stakeholders engagement is sine-qua-non to the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu and a key ingredient to achieving food security through livestock value chain agribusiness and value addition/processing.

“Also, packaging, cold-chain supply, branding, quality assurance, traceability and export driven to earn much needed foreign exchange.

“L-PRES within its lifespan and stakeholders support is positioned to maximise the opportunities of the African Continental Free-Trade Area (AfCFTA) through industrialisation and will naturally drive food security, food safety, economic growth, job creation among others”.

Mrs Heather-Ronke Akanni, Livestock Value Chain Consultant for L-PRES, said the clinic would support livestock agribusiness across all 20 participating states and contribute to the country’s economic growth.

Akanni identified the project’s safety net as threefold: government-supported, demand-driven by beneficiaries, and assured in its sustainability.

She said the orientation aimed to enhance livestock value addition, engage youth and women, improve market opportunities, promote exports, and add value across all project value chains. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

Expert urges inclusion of adolescent nutrition in national policy
Agriculture , Food Security

Expert urges inclusion of adolescent nutrition in national policy

577 total views today

By Felicia Imohimi

Dr Patricia Ukegbu, Head of the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, has called for the inclusion of adolescent nutrition considerations in the National Policy on Food and Nutrition (NPFN).

Ukegbu, an Associate Professor at the university, stated that such a move would help reduce the long-term burden of stunting and contribute to achieving nutrition security in Nigeria.

She made the recommendation on Tuesday during the first-quarter coordination meeting of the National Committee on Food and Nutrition (NCFN) in Auta-balefi, Nasarawa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ukegbu is a Policy Fellow of the Gender Responsive Agriculture Systems Policy (GRASP), an initiative of African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD).

She delivered a presentation titled “Integrating Gender-Responsive Adolescent Nutrition Considerations into the NPFN”.

She explained that although the current policy acknowledges gender inequalities, it lacks specific provisions to address disparities related to adolescent nutrition.

She identified these inequalities as relating to food and nutrition security, access to healthcare services, educational resources, social protection, and empowerment.

“The NPFN contains no specific national provisions for younger adolescent females (aged 10–14) and males in general (aged 10–19),” she noted.

“The policy rightly focuses on children under five and women of reproductive age. However, it inadequately engages adolescents in interventions designed to meet their distinct nutritional needs”.

Ukegbu advocated for a review of the 2016 NPFN to incorporate gender-responsive strategies on adolescent nutrition, including the promotion of adolescent participation in policymaking processes.

She also recommended the development of clear objectives, targets, and strategies to improve adolescents’ nutritional knowledge and dietary behaviours.

According to her, these measures are critical to ensuring adequate nutrition for the nation’s adolescent population.

Ukegbu highlighted the opportunities for strengthening gender-responsive adolescent nutrition in Nigeria, including policy, programme, and legal frameworks.

She cited existing programmes such as school feeding, food fortification, dietary diversity, and biofortification.

The nutrition expert outlined key challenges facing adolescent nutrition, including inadequate diets, malnutrition, food insecurity, and the absence of gender-responsive policies and programmes.

She also mentioned the lack of national age- and gender-disaggregated data on adolescents’ nutritional status, food consumption, and nutrition knowledge.

She noted that most existing programmes targeting adolescents are primarily focused on reproductive health.

Also speaking at the event, Prof. Ngozi Nnam, an expert in Community and Public Health and Paediatric Nutrition at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, advocated for a life-cycle approach to nutrition.

Nnam emphasised the need to prioritise nutrition at every life stage from early childhood through adolescence and into old age.

She said: “Adolescence is a critical developmental phase.

“While most development occurs from conception through the first 1,000 days, the adolescent stage is another key window when substantial physical and cognitive growth takes place.

“If nutrition is properly addressed during adolescence, it can help correct some deficits incurred earlier in life”.

Dr Victor Ajieroh, a nutrition expert and AWARD mentee to Ukegbu, described the advocacy for adolescent nutrition inclusion in the NPFN as timely.

He stressed that such inclusion would allow the country to maximise the benefits of its demographic structure.

Ajieroh maintained that while the nutrition of mothers and children under five must remain a priority, strategic attention should also be paid to adolescents aged 10 to 14.

“The school feeding programme should be expanded to include this age group.

“We must strengthen school-based health, nutrition, and agricultural programmes, especially in secondary schools, to prepare adolescents for their most productive years.

“Once they leave school, they enter the workforce and become part of the nation’s productive population.

“From a reproductive health standpoint, as they transition into early adulthood, many begin to marry and start families.

“If we want future generations of healthy children, we must first ensure that today’s adolescents are well-nourished and healthy.

“We must equip them with the knowledge and habits that promote good nutrition, not only for themselves, but also for their future families, “he added.

NAN reports that participants at the meeting included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, civil society organisations, and development partners. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

New Sokoto river basin MD vows to restore lost glory
Agriculture , Food Security

New Sokoto river basin MD vows to restore lost glory

538 total views today

By Muhammad Nasir

Alhaji Abubakar Malam, the newly appointed Managing Director of the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA), officially assumed office on Thursday, pledging to restore its lost glory.

Malam emphasised the grassroots-driven importance of the organisation and urged the management to establish a sustainable synergy to realign its activities with its original mandate.

“Our focus will be on increasing food production, reducing poverty, fostering grassroots development and ensuring sustainable rural investments.

“We will also strive to improve the livelihoods of the people across the four states under our jurisdiction,” Malam stated.

He further highlighted the need to provide a strong impetus for sustainable growth through agricultural investments to enhance the economic fortunes of the people.

Reflecting on the challenges ahead, Malam acknowledged that the task before the new SRRBDA management was a daunting one, given the current realities that necessitate the restoration of the organisation’s lost prestige.

“As we take on the responsibility of leading this organisation, I assure you that under my leadership.

“We will strive to improve staff welfare, uphold discipline and work ethics, recognise productivity, and reward excellence to motivate employees for maximum output,” he affirmed.

The managing director also announced plans to develop a comprehensive action plan aligned with the organisation’s mandate.

He said, “This plan will clearly define responsibilities at all levels to facilitate effective assessment and quality control”.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the new SRRBDA Executive Directors, Malam thanked President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Water Resources, and the Governors of Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina States for the trust placed in them.

“I wish to extend our profound appreciation to president Bola Tinubu for this opportunity to serve.

“We remain deeply indebted and firmly committed to the president developmental agenda and campaign promises,” he stated.

Malam assured that SRRBDA would complement the president’s initiatives in agriculture, agro-industrial zones, livestock development, rural economic growth, sanitation, and food security.

Additionally, Malam extended a hand of partnership to all federal and state organisations, agencies, and stakeholders, inviting them to collaborate in his mission to make a meaningful impact.

“We are determined to make a difference, and we welcome all stakeholders to join us in this commitment to progress,” he added. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Dangote foundation inaugurates N16bn national food intervention project
Agriculture , Food Security

Dangote foundation inaugurates N16bn national food intervention project

659 total views today

By Ramatu Garba

The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has inaugurated the 2025 Annual National Food Intervention Project valued at N16 billion and to benefit one million Nigerians nationwide.

The Chairman of the foundation, Mr Aliko Dangote,  made the disclosure during the inaugural ceremony on Thursday in Kano.

Represented by his daughter, Marya, he said the annual initiative, which embodies compassion, solidarity, and shared responsibility, was part of the foundation’s response to the current economic challenges facing the nation.

“The distribution of one million bags of 10kg rice to the poor and most vulnerable Nigerians across the 774 Local Government Areas is in line with the core values of this foundation.

“We are collaborating with state governments to ensure that the food reaches the most vulnerable individuals in each state.

“Our foundation focuses on improving the living conditions of Nigerians through support projects, which tackle hunger and water supply problems.

“We are also strengthening the quality and scope of health and education, as well as promoting economic empowerment at the community level,” he said

Dangote urged other industrialists and firms to lend a helping hand in combating hunger through programmes and initiatives that would place food on the tables of vulnerable Nigerians.

According to him, there’s a need to complement government efforts in fighting hunger and poverty through a public private partnership.

“I commend the government at all levels for efforts in addressing the food crisis.

 I am certain that with time, we shall overcome these challenges. Therefore let us support the government to achieve its target of a better life for Nigerians,” he said.

On his part, Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf of Kano State said the intervention reflected the unwavering commitment of Dangote in addressing poverty and hunger in Nigeria.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdulsalam-Gwarzo,  he said the gesture would go a long way in alleviating hardship, particularly during the blessed month of Ramadan.

He said the state government had set up a committee made up of relevant stakeholders, including security agencies, to ensure transparency in the distribution process.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of the foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, reiterated the commitment of Dangote to continue giving back to the society in various ways, including supporting governments in fighting poverty and hunger.

Also speaking, the Deputy Commander-General of Hisbah Board in Kano, Dr Mujahid Aminudeen, commended the foundation for the initiative and urged others to emulate Dangote.

He said the board would be actively engaged to ensure that the products reach the targeted beneficiaries. (NAN)

Edited by Bukola Adetoye and Yakubu Uba

FG empowers women farmers in Nasarawa with N26m
Food Security

FG empowers women farmers in Nasarawa with N26m

547 total views today

By Oboh Linus

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) has trained and empowered women farmers in Nasarawa State with N26 million.

The Wife of Nasarawa State Governor, Hajiya Silifat Sule, who performed the symbolic presentation on Wednesday in Lafia, enjoined the beneficiaries to utilise the training and the cash to enhance food security.

Sule, who was represented by the Wife of the deputy governor, Mrs Tosin Sheila Akabe, said that the beneficiaries were women farmers groups, selected across the 13 local government areas of the state.

She said that Nasarawa State was blessed with fertile land and a rich agricultural heritage, noting that women and youth were the key to unlocking the potential and ensuring a sustainable future for the state.

“It is an honour to stand before you, as we launch this vital agricultural support programme, under the Renewed Hope Initiative.

“We are gathered here to celebrate potential, ignite ambition and reaffirm unwavering belief in the power of youth and women, particularly in the critical area of food, nutrition and security.

“This agricultural support programme is not just about providing tools and resources, it is about investing in youths and women, to become leaders in the agriculture sector for sustainable livelihoods,” Sule said.

She enjoined the beneficiaries to embrace opportunities for growth, in spite of the challenges ahead, and to build a stronger and more prosperous Nasarawa State.

Princess Margaret Elayo, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, thanked the Federal Government and the governor’s wife for the initiative.

Elayo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Emmanuel Yonah, said that the empowerment would boost women’s agro-businesses.

On his part, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Tanko Tunga, who was represented by the Assistant Director, Planning and Research, Mrs Chinyere Nwaosuocha, applauded the First Lady for the initiative.

He charged the beneficiaries to utilise the training and the resources judiciously.

Prof. Ibrahim Haruna, a Resource Person at the training, emphasised the need to embrace homegrown gardens and to maintain them using organic manure, animal dung and nets to prevent animals from entering the garden.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiaries comprised of one women group each from the 13 local government areas of the state.

Each group got N2 million to support their farming activities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Christiana Fadare

100 women making brisk business in Akpu production in Sheda community
Community , Food Security

100 women making brisk business in Akpu production in Sheda community

446 total views today

By Uche Bibilari

No fewer than 100 women are currently making brisk business from Akpu production at the Cassava/Fufu Processing Centre in Sheda, FCT.

Mrs Justina Ibrahim, Leader of the centre, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Sheda.

Ibrahim explained that Akpu business had helped them feed their families and achieve financial independence.

She revealed that the centre was built by the Kwali Area Council Chairman in collaboration with the Agro Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACRESAL) FCT Project Implementation Unit.

She noted that the business had helped the women to become self-sufficient as well as take care of their respective families.

“When we started, we were not this many. But as time went by and people saw the viability of the business, more people joined us, now we have 100 registered members,” she said.

Ibrahim disclosed that to become a member and participate in the Akpu business, a newcomer was expected to pay a ₦10,000 registration fee.

She also disclosed that members source their cassava mainly from Kogi and the FCT, adding that a pickup truck of cassava cost between N400,000 and N500, 000.

She, however, lamented the absence of sufficient reliable water supply at the centre, and appealed to the government to provide more for the centre.

She also called for the provision of a machine that would help in peeling and washing of the cassava, thereby reducing the labour involved in the process.

A member who spoke with NAN said that since joining the centre, she has made huge profit.

Mrs Joy Jalo, a member of the Akpu association, said that she joined the business five years ago with a capital of N100,000, which has now grown to N500, 000.

She said that she had been earning a living from proceeds of the business, which has improved her family’s livelihood.

Jalo said that the business had enabled her to send her children to school and also trained two of her siblings.

She, however, said that the business was not what it used to be in the past due to a significant decline in sales.

”The business used to be vibrant, but these days, with the current economic situation in the country, everything is increasing, and people are struggling to survive.

”In spite of this, we still thank God for everything, at least for being able to provide food and shelter for our families.

”This is because in cassava processing, nothing goes to waste, the cassava peel is used to feed cow and pig, while the fibre is also used as food,’’ she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Deborah Coker

NGO to host national dialogue on food security
Agriculture , Food Security

NGO to host national dialogue on food security

456 total views today

By Felicia Imohimi

One Acre Fund, an NGO, has announced that it will host a national dialogue on food security to address critical challenges in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Adetola Adegbite, the Country Director of the organisation, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja ahead of the programme, scheduled for March 20.

Adegbite stated that the dialogue aims to drive collaborative solutions towards a more food-secure future for the population.

He explained that the event, themed “Achieving Food Security in Nigeria: Bridging the Gap”, will bring together key actors across the agricultural value chain, including government agencies, private sector leaders, development partners, and civil society organisations.

The country director, who identified smallholder farmers as the backbone of the nation’s food system, however, stressed that systemic challenges continue to limit their productivity and resilience.

“The National Stakeholders Dialogue presents an opportunity to bring all stakeholders to the table to drive real change through innovative policies, strategic investments, and knowledge-sharing.

“Together, we can bridge the gaps and work towards a more food-secure Nigeria.

“Nigeria’s food security landscape faces pressing challenges, including climate change, limited access to quality inputs, weak extension services, market barriers, and financial constraints for smallholder farmers.

“The dialogue will serve as a platform for in-depth discussions on these issues, with the goal of fostering strategic partnerships and policy recommendations to enhance agricultural resilience and productivity,” he said.

Adegbite added that the dialogue will feature two high-impact panel discussions, including “State of the Nation – Challenges of Food Security and Climate Change in Nigeria”.

According to him, experts will assess the current food security situation, climate adaptation strategies, and the key policy and investment gaps that require urgent attention.

“One Acre Fund is an NGO supporting smallholder farmers in rural sub-Saharan Africa to build resilient communities by providing them with agricultural resources, financing, and training, enabling them to grow more food and achieve prosperity”. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

 

IFAD-SAPZ empowers 1,009 farmers in Kano
Agriculture , Food Security

IFAD-SAPZ empowers 1,009 farmers in Kano

515 total views today
By Felicia Imohimi

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme has empowered no fewer than 505 rice farmers and 504 tomato farmers in Kano.

Dr Kabir Yusuf, National Programme Coordinator of SAPZ, said this in a statement on Monday following the ongoing Field Day activity in Kano.

He stated that the activity aimed to connect smallholder farmers to viable markets and was a crucial step towards reducing post-harvest losses and increasing farmers’ incomes.

He noted that the lack of reliable buyers has long caused losses for tomato farmers, stressing that SAPZ’s core goal is to ensure market access.

“However, through a series of training sessions on Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) and the provision of a full package of inputs, SAPZ is equipping farmers with the necessary tools to improve productivity and profitability.

“As part of our commitment to agricultural development, this partnership will ensure that farmers not only produce but also have access to guaranteed markets for their produce.

“Transformative impact on farmers under the IFAD-SAPZ pilot scheme is 1,009 farmers, specifically 505 rice farmers and 504 tomato farmers, have benefited from the programme”.

Yusuf said the initiative is being piloted in Kura and Bagwai LGAs, aiming to reach 14,000 farmers across 16 LGAs in Kano.

He said the first phase of SAPZ is underway in eight states, including Kano and FCT, with more to be added in the second phase.

Mr Isah Ibrahim, a tomato farmer from Watari Cluster in Bagwai LGA and one of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude for the programme, calling it a “turning point” for tomato farmers.

“Before now, we never fully understood that farming is a business. But with the training and support from SAPZ, we now approach farming differently.

“In the past, I harvested between six and seven times per hectare, but with the improved practices introduced by SAPZ, I am now on my second harvest and anticipate up to ten additional harvests.

“Efficient use of agricultural inputs has significantly boosted my yields,” he said.

Ibrahim said SAPZ has tackled market access issues by linking tomato farmers with off-takers who buy at favourable prices.

He appreciated the programme, adding that buyers now come directly to their farms to purchase tomatoes at considerable prices.

Rice farmer Mallama Hafsat thanked SAPZ, IFAD, and the Kano government for support that led to a bumper harvest.

Speaking on the impact of the initiative, Hafsat acknowledged that, prior to SAPZ’s intervention, traditional farming methods yielded poor results.

She stated that with training on good agronomic practices and access to critical farm inputs, her farming experience had been significantly transformed.

“Before SAPZ came in, our old ways of farming did not favour us, but now, we have been trained in modern techniques, such as nursery preparation before transplanting and proper spacing of rice plants. These have greatly improved our yield.

“My personal achievement through the improved harvest is that I was able to finance my daughter’s wedding, even after the death of my husband”. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Tosin Kolade

GB Foods tasks FG on continued support for tomato policy
Agriculture , Food Security

GB Foods tasks FG on continued support for tomato policy

636 total views today

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Mr Vincent Egbe, Managing Director, GB Foods, has called on the Federal Government to ensure effective implementation of the National Tomato Policy to enhance development of the tomato ecosystem and support its competitiveness.

Egbe made the call during a three-day industrial tour by the Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Enoh, on Wednesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Tomato Policy (2022–2026) is designed to cut down on post-harvest losses.

It will also curb import of tomato concentrates through increased import tariff from five per cent to 50 per cent and an additional $1,500 levy per metric tonne.

The GB Foods Managing Director said that Nigeria had a shortfall in tomatoes supply in spite of being the 13th largest producer of tomatoes in the world.

He said that, to be fully self-sufficient, Nigeria should be producing a total 10 to 12 million metric tonnes of tomato annually.

Egbe said the company would continue to embrace innovations targeted at celebrating local tomato flavours.

He, however, noted some shortfalls that had plagued the tomatoes industry, such as low production levels, poor infrastructure, weak market linkage and poor access to finance.

He emphasised the need to address the sector’s key challenges and secure essential support for its progress.

This, he said, could be achieved by stopping disruptions from regulatory authorities, providing incentives and fiscal support for local manufacturers and infrastructure support.

“One hundred per cent of everything done in Nigeria is manufactured in Nigeria with 55 per cent local sourcing of Nigerian ingredients.

“We would continue to invest to feed the consuming population, seeing that government is looking to grow the production base of manufacturing.

“We would continue to key into the agenda of government to accelerate contributions to the country’s economy,” he said.

Egbe also revealed the company’s plan to establish Nigeria as an industrial hub for West African markets with ongoing tomatoes distribution and logistics investments, and tomato processing expansion.

He reiterated the company’s commitment to sustainability by fostering right nutrition, preserving environmental balance and investing in local communities’ prosperity.

“We see Nigeria as the future driver of a prosperous Africa, and so we are investing here on a rate of 7:3 i.e. seven here in Nigeria and 3 in other parts of Africa.

“What we are doing in Nigeria is consistent with who we are and we would continue investing in tomatoes backward integration to develop the tomatoes ecosystem in Nigeria,” he said.

Responding, the minister said that the company occupied a critical space in the food industry.

He said that while Nigeria might be passing through a phase, it still had opportunities.

Enoh assured that the Federal Government would continue to support local manufacturers and made in Nigeria goods.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email