NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Agriculture

WFP earmarks $2.5bn for hunger, malnutrition in Nigeria

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By Felicia Imohimi

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) says it has budgeted 2.5 billion dollars in the 2023 to-2027  Nigeria Country Strategy Plans (CSP).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this is geared towards achieving zero hunger and improved nutrition across the country.

Mr Seriene Loum, Head of Programme, WFP said this at the Co-creation workshop organised by the organisation on Wednesday in Abuja.

The workshop is in collaboration with National Social Investment Programme Agency (N-SIPA).

Loum, who represented WFP Country Director, said WFP strategic goal was to ensure a world without hunger in line with the SDG 1 and 2 on poverty and zero hunger.

He said the organisation would work closely with member states of United Nations including Nigeria to mobilise resources to fully implement the programmes.

“WFP Nigeria CSP 2023 t0 2027 a five-year project has a dedicated activity for strengthening institutional capacities and enhanced enabling environment in line with national target to achieve zero hunger by 2030.

“The project focus on food technology, fortification of  supply chain management, improving nutrition and emergency preparedness responses.

“2023 to 2027 have five pillars and each of them focus on zero hunger and improved nutrition.

“We have  some interventions that focus  on emergency response, making sure that people will not go to bed  hungry which are lifesaving activities that aim to provide immediate food assistant to people that are in need,’’ he said.

Loum identified Nigeria as operating one of the biggest social safety nets programme in Africa.

He said it was also encouraging that Nigeria had an ambitious safety nets programme target at uplifting hundreds of millions of its populace out of poverty.

He  said: “considering the current economic trend and level of vulnerabilities in Nigeria, the Cadre Harmonised (CH) result of October 2024 reveals that about 25 million Nigerians are acutely food insecure and projected to reach 33 million between June to August 2025.

“It is therefore expedient that all stakeholders, most especially WFP, need to work together with the Federal Government for this very ambitious goal to be achieved,’’ he said.

Also, Prof. Badamasi Lawal, Chief Executive Officer, NSIPA said the seminar was meant to harness collective expertise and resources to achieve meaningful impact in the lives of Nigerians.

Represented by Mrs Uche Obi, Director, Human Resources Management, he commended WFP for its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to address poverty, hunger and malnutrition.

According to her, WFP partnership is a testament to the power of international cooperation and the shared vision of creating a more equitable and prosperous society.

“The NSIP launched in 2016, elevated to a full-fledged Agency in 2023 has made significant strides in addressing poverty, inequality, and social exclusion.

“Through various programmes, including the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP), Conditional Cash Transfer Programme (NCTO), Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), Grant for Vulnerable Groups (GVG) and N-Power, we have reached millions of Nigerians.

“We are providing them with opportunities for economic empowerment, education, and improved well-being .

“The WFP’s expertise in food security, nutrition and emergency response will be invaluable in enhancing our programmes and achieving greater impact.

“This collaboration will enable us to leverage each other’s strengths, share knowledge, and develop innovative solutions to address the complex challenges facing our nation,’’ he said.

He said WFP’s support had made it possible for the Federal Government to pull stakeholders in meaningful discussions and in shaping the future of their partnership.

“Your investment in this partnership is a testament to your commitment to Nigeria’s development and the well-being of its people,’’ he said. (NAN)  www.nannews.ng

Edited by Uche Anunne

Agriculture

Niger urges farmers to insure farms against disasters

261 total views today

By Rita Iliya
Niger Government on Wednesday advised farmers to insure their farms against disasters, following recent floods that devastated farmlands in the state.

Alhaji Musa Bawa-Bosso, Commissioner for Agriculture in Niger, gave the advise during an on-the-spot assessment of farms affected by flood in Mokwa Local Government Area of the state.

Bawa-Bosso represented by Dr Mathew Ahmed, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, said insuring farms against disasters would provide farmers with financial protection and support during times of crisis.

“Disasters such as floods, droughts, and pests can have devastating effects on farms, leading to significant losses for farmers just like it has happened.

“By insuring their farms, farmers can receive financial compensation for their losses, which would help them to recover quickly and continue farming,” he said.

He attributed the flood to excess water from Kainji and Jebba dams, associated with climate change.

He assured the farmers that the flood would recede within five days and that extension agents would collect data on affected farmers for possible government intervention.

Bawa-Bosso disclosed that the state government plans to link affected farmers with the Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) for further intervention.

Also speaking, Alhaji Mohammed Baba,  Managing Director of Niger State Agricultural Mechanisation Development Authority (NAMDA), advised farmers in the state to key into the Niger Foods Project.

Baba explained that the project allows farmers to access inputs on credit and repay at harvest, thereby boosting their production.

Earlier, Alhaji Mahmudu Usman, ‘Etsu yankpa’ of Kusogi village, disclosed that the flood had destroyed about 300,000 hectares of rice farms worth billions of Naira.

Usman stated that the disaster had affected indigenous and non-indigenous farmers in more than 25 villages under Kede Community in Mokwa Local Government Area.

He appealed to the state government to come to the aid of the farmers, as their livelihood depends on the farms.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that floodwaters, allegedly from Kainji and Jebba dams, have inundated numerous farmlands in at least ten communities, causing widespread destruction.(NAN)
Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi/ Isaac Ukpoju

Agriculture

Stakeholders validate northern project studies on poverty reduction

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By Felicia Imohimi

Stakeholders have validated the Federal Government, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and French Development Agency (AFD) Value Chain in Northern Nigeria (VCN) programme’s complementary studies.

The programme aims to contribute sustainably to poverty reduction, improved nutrition, and greater resilience among rural and vulnerable populations in northern Nigeria.

Speaking at the validation workshop on Monday in Abuja, stakeholders stated that the VCN complementary studies were conducted to provide a deeper understanding of the context in which the project would be implemented.

The studies also identified key leverage points and challenges faced in the region.

Bukar Musa, Director of the Project Coordinating Unit at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said the VCN programme is a Federal Government initiative designed to improve the livelihoods of half a million smallholder farmers and uplift vulnerable populations.

Musa explained that the programme’s objectives would be achieved by strengthening value chains, enhancing agricultural productivity, and increasing market access.

He added that the project aligns with the Presidential Emergency Declaration on Food Security, the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP), and other related policies.

According to Musa, implementing the VCN programme will help reduce poverty, enhance nutrition, and improve the resilience of rural populations in nine northern states—Borno, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara.

Mrs Dede Ekoue, Country Director of IFAD Nigeria, stated that the complementary studies conducted by the Food and Agriculture Innovation Centre (FAO) would strengthen the implementation of the already developed project implementation manual.

Ekoue noted that the studies were funded by IFAD and AFD.

“This collaborative and systematic approach with development partners and UN agencies fosters the scaling up and efficiency of investment in support of national priorities for agro-food systems transformation and sustainable development.

“This development focuses on the humanitarian, development, and peace nexus in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNDSDCF) and AFD Nigeria’s Country Intervention Strategy,” she said.

Ekoue added that the VCN programme, expected to be signed in August 2025, would directly benefit an estimated 456,000 smallholder farmers and rural entrepreneurs.

Ms Sally Ibrahim, Project Manager representing AFD’s Country Director in Nigeria, Xavier Muron, said the workshop marked the successful completion of studies intended to facilitate the operational implementation of the VCN programme.

Ibrahim stated that the programme aims to promote inclusive economic opportunities for vulnerable populations and address food and nutritional insecurity in northern Nigeria.

“AFD’s current support to the sector in Nigeria focuses mainly on improving rural access and agri-markets.

“This future support for the VCN programme, alongside IFAD, represents a significant step in creating synergies with other agro-food development programmes implemented by the government.

“It seeks to address the challenges and multiple fragilities facing the agricultural sector,” she said.

Mr Braimah Tofiq, Operations Officer at FAO, explained that the complementary studies conducted by the organisation were aimed at refining and strengthening the project’s implementation strategies.

Tofiq revealed the rising rate of malnutrition in northern Nigeria and outlined key interventions to address the challenge.

They include promotion of nutrient-rich crops, improved maternal and child nutrition, and the encouragement of backyard and small-scale animal husbandry.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a highlight of the workshop was the presentation of the VCN complementary studies by Line Kasperson, Investment Support Officer at the FAO Investment Centre in Rome. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Agriculture

Lagos unveils N500m subsidy intervention fund for poultry, fish farmers

283 total views today

 

By Olaitan Idris and Mercy Omoike

The Lagos State Government has disclosed plans to launch a N500 million Ounje Eko Farmers’ Subsidy Programme to empower farmers with a 25 per cent subsidy on animal feeds (poultry and fish) to boost local agricultural production in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, said this at a news conference on Wednesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Ounje Eko Discount Market was introduced to cushion the effect of food inflation for Lagos residents.

Also, the Ounje Eko Farmers’ Subsidy Programme was birthed to cater to the challenges of local farmers in the state.

Olusanya said through the subsidy programme, the state would provide direct financial relief to farmers through a 25 per cent subsidy on poultry and fish feeds.

“We unveil yet another transformative intervention under the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems— the Ounje Eko Farmers Subsidy Programme.

“Recognising the challenges faced by our farmers, we are pleased to introduce the Ounje Eko Farmers Subsidy Programme —a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at supporting agricultural production through a 25 per cent subsidy on animal feeds (poultry and fish).

“The livestock and aquaculture farming, has been under significant pressure due to the rising cost of production inputs.

“Poultry and fish feed alone account for over 70 per cent of production costs, leading to reduced farm operations and, in some cases, closures.

“This has not only affected farmers but has also contributed to food inflation and reduced access to essential protein sources such as eggs, chicken, and fish,” Olusanya said.

This, she said, would enable the farmers to sustain and improve production levels and ensure a steady supply of poultry and fish products in the market.

Olusanya added that the initiative would prevent further farm closures and mitigate food insecurity.

She described the initiative as a transformative action of the government to ease production cost of farmers through a 25 per cent subsidisation of feed inputs.

The commissioner said the subsidy programme scheduled to start on February 5 would disburse feeds at the discounted price of 25 per cent every Wednesday as a pilot run for the programme.

“The programme will run every Wednesday from Feb. 5 to Feb. 26, 2025. Farmers will pay only 75 per cent of the cost, while the government subsidises the remaining 25 per cent.

“Pre-ordering and payment processes will be managed through farmer associations to ensure transparency.

“Vendors will deliver pre-ordered products to market locations for verification and distribution.

“This intervention departs from past strategies where free input distribution led to diversion and inefficiencies. Instead, this subsidy model ensures accountability, proper targeting, and sustainable impact,” the commissioner said.

She noted that farmers would only benefit from the programme as registered members of farm clusters and associations.

She said the ministry would partner with reputable feed millers for sourcing of the feeds and farmers’ associations for distribution to ensure the success of the programme.

“To ensure the success of this programme, we have put in place a robust implementation strategy.

“The Designated Discount Market Locations for the distribution of the feeds are the; Erikorodo Poultry Estate, Ikorodu, Agricultural Training Institute, Araga, Epe, Aiyedoto Poultry Estate, Ojo, Coconut House, Mowo, Badagry, Farm Service Center, Oko-Oba, Ikeja and the Fish Farm Estate, Odongunyan, Ikorodu.

“Farmers will pay only 75 per cent of the cost, while the government subsidises the remaining 25 per cent.

“Pre-ordering and payment processes will be managed through farmer associations to ensure transparency. Vendors will deliver pre-ordered products to market locations for verification and distribution,” she said.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Agriculture , Food Security

IFAD-VCDP made us landlords, millionaires— Niger beneficiaries

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By Felicia Imohimi

Some beneficiaries of the Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development-Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP) in Niger say they have become millionaires and landlords through the scheme.

The farmers in Ezhigi community, Edati Local Government Area, spoke on the sidelines of media tour of FG/IFAD-VCDP project in some communities in Niger.

They said their income, livelihood and children’s educational standard had improved through the intervention of the dry season farming programme.

Mr Jubril Haruna, rice farmer and processor, said that prior to the intervention of IFAD-VCDP in 2020, he relied on his father for survival- both feeding and accommodation.

He said they were trained on good agronomical practices, how to prepare nursery bed, transplanting and proper application of fertiliser.

Haruna said they were provided with tiller machines, subsidised fertilisers, solar powered irrigation pumping machines, among others.

He said that initially, they only farmed during rainy season which was one season annually and in small scale which was unsustainable.

Haruna said at the moment, they could farm all year round in large scale, had enhanced income and build brick houses instead of mud.

He said that at the moment, he was able to build a standard house with bricks, set up a processing facility, raised his children’s educational standard and became a millionaire through the intervention.

“IFAD-VCDP provided us with solar panel water pump as against fuel pumping machine we were using initially.

“I bought additional three panels to enhance my irrigation farming which is the sustainable means of agriculture.

“The programme also provided us with improved seedlings Faro 44 which is more profitable than the former ones we were cultivating traditionally.

“Through this improved seedlings, we do realise 80 bags to 100 bags of 100kg per hectares as against 30 bags to 40 bags we used to realise prior to the intervention,” he said.

Another beneficiary, Mohammed Usman, listed some interventions received as training on how to prepare nursery bed, transplanting and provision of tiller machines for soil excavation before transplanting.

He said they were provided with fertilisers, solar powered pumping machines, among others.

Usman, who was living in his father’s house prior to the intervention, said he had become a landlord.

He described their traditional method of farming as cumbersome, strenuous and less productive.

“With VCDP we are moving forward; we now know more about dry season farming and its enormous benefits.

“IFAD-VCDP gave us solar powered water pumping machines which put an end to huge expenses on diesel and fuel to pump water.

“They trained us on good agronomical practices and gaps training on rainy and season farming,” he said.

Usman, who lauded IFAD-VCDP for its transformative intervention to the entire community, said it had improved their lives economically, morally and otherwise.

He said that before the intervention, most houses in the community were built with mud due to scarce resources.

“IFAD-VCDP has transformed lives economically, social and otherwise to the extent that almost everyone now own modern houses built with bricks.

“We have benefited a lot and our children know attend standard schools.

“I can comfortably do any business irrespective of cost; I can farm three to four hectares across seasons through their support,’’ he said.

Mrs Hadiza Isah, State Programme Coordinator, IFAD-VCDP, Niger, said the visit was to document the success story of farmers that VCDP had supported since its inception in 2020.

Isah said before the intervention, the farmers cultivated between half hectare to two hectares per person.

She said that through the support, they expanded their farms to three to four hectares per farmer.

According to her, farmers in the community can now boast of 6.5 metric tonnes to seven tonnes per hectare.

“When we notice the volume of rice produced in the community and the challenges of processing, we provided them with processing unit or facility.

“The objective of VCDP is to sustainably enhance rural incomes and food security.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Agriculture

FG’ll deploy drones to maximise agricultural output – Kyari

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By Salif Atojoko

Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, on Tuesday, said the Federal Government will deploy technology for all-year round farming.

The minister said this while briefing State House correspondents.

“The faster we clear land, harvest, chemical deployment, whether it’s pesticide, whether it’s herbicide, the better.

“We intend to use drone technology in doing that because what one drone can do, a hundred people cannot do in a day.

“So, we are going to use drones to fast-track agricultural activities, harvest quickly, and then make the land available for the next cycle of cultivation,” said Kyari.

He said his ministry would partner the private sector to support vibrant youths to take advantage of its mechanisation programme.

“It is very important to also educate our farmers that agriculture is no longer for the stomach only. It should also be seen as a business, something that will earn a livelihood.

“So, what we have seen that input support may not necessarily be what will incentivise our smallholder farmers to produce.

“I think we need to change the mindset and see how we can engage them in such a way that funding from the private sector should support agricultural production,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Agriculture

We expect bumper wheat harvest – Agric minister

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By Salif Atojoko

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security,  Sen. Abubakar Kyari, says wheat farmers are expecting bumper harvest this year as a result of  support from  the Federal Government.

The minister said this at a media parley with State House correspondents on Tuesday.

He said the expectation of a bumper wheat harvest was based on the Federal Government’s  intervention in the phase one of dry season wheat production of 2024-2025, which ended on Dec. 27, 2024.

He said during the programme, that about 300,000 farmers were supported to cultivate 150,000 hectares, which meant  one farmer per half a hectare.

He said the Federal Government subsidised wheat seeds to the tune of 75 per cent, with farmers paying 25 per cent of the seed amount.

“Then, in terms of fertilisation, it’s also 50-50, just like we did last year, 50 per cent subsidy of fertiliser to the farmers.

“So, we’re waiting for the vegetative growth and also subsequently,  the harvest  sometime around March and April.

“We have a lot of expectations this year because the farmers have expressed  desires to go into wheat more than ever before, simply because of the attraction and the profit,” the minister said. 

He stated that Cross River became a wheat producing state, the first time a southern state joined the other 15 northern wheat producing states.

“It’s a pilot scheme that we’re going to have in the northern part of Cross River. Wheat, of course, is a crop that is cultivated in cold season and under irrigation.

“In addition to the dry season, we also intend to pilot wet season wheat cultivation in highland areas that are temperate, that are colder, places like Taraba , Plateau , and the same Cross River,”  Kyari said. 

He said from reports received from different parts of the country, there was considerable positive harvest generally in the  2024 farming season.

“We have a harvest that far exceeds that of the previous year in all the major staple crops that we have cultivated during the wet season in 2024.

“Going forward, we also have engaged and have launched the dry season cultivation of 2024 through 2025.

“We launched the dry season cultivation  Cross River, on Nov. 14, 2024, when we had the 46th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Food Security which held at the International Convention Centre, Calabar. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

Agriculture

Niger govt deploys experts for food security

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By Rita Iliya

Niger Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has deployed its agric experts to promote best practices among farmers to improve crop yields.

 

Dr Matthew Ahmed, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said this during a visit to Niger Foods Green House and Edozhigi Irrigation Scheme in Gbako Local Government of the state.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team also inspected the 57.3 hectares of land allocated to permanent secretaries for rice production in Kakankpagi as part of efforts to promote farming among civil servants.

 

The inspection was conducted in partnership with the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and Synergos Nigeria.

 

Ahmed said the exercise was to assess the current practices of farmers and provide guidance on adopting more impactful and innovative methods to improve crop yields.

 

“We want to ensure that our farmers are aware of the latest technologies and innovations in agriculture, and ensure they adopt best practices to improve their yields,” he said.

 

He said that the team would also monitor the African Development Bank-funded ATASP-1 intervention, which built irrigation canals to enable farmers to grow crops three times a year.

 

Ahmed emphasised that the overall goal of the visit was to improve the livelihoods of farmers, increase yield production and reduce food security challenges in the country.

 

He assured the farmers that the state government was tackling the challenges posed by herders, adding that the government would soon establish the Ministry of Nomadic and Pastoral Affairs and the Ministry of Homeland Security.

 

Malam Alhassan Umaru, Coordinating AGRA Intervention in the ministry, said the exercise was to improve policy implementation, stakeholders’ coordination, data monitoring and evaluation of all AGRA programmes.

 

He said the exercise was also to assess farmers’ application of technology, their challenges, to amend policies if need be and realign strategies to ensure smooth project implementation.

 

Mrs Caroline Aro, Farm Manager of Niger Foods Green House, said the house specialised in producing high-quality vegetables such as tomatoes, belle pepper, super abenero, and seedless baby cucumbers.

 

She said the house had recorded significant success in vegetable production, with over a tonne of cucumber harvested within a short period.

 

“We planted the cucumber on Nov. 16, 2024, and we have harvested over a tonne,” she said.

 

Also, Alhaji Yahaya Umaru, a rice farmer, said before the ATASP-1 intervention, farmers were unable to engage in irrigation farming, but with the construction of irrigation canals, they could farm three times a year.

 

Umaru added that with the support of ATASP-1, farmers in the area now harvest about 70 bags of 75kg rice per hectare.

 

He noted that farming, which was previously seen as a heritage, was now a profitable business with the state government intervention. (NAN)

Edited by Stanley Nwanosike/Joe Idika

Defence/Security , Food Security

Nigerian Army formalises collaboration with firm on food security

278 total views today

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited (NAFARL), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with Ivillagro Services Limited to implement President Bola Tinubu‘s directive on achieving food security in the country.

The MoU was signed by the Executive Director of NAFARL, Maj.-Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife and the Chief Executive Officer of Ivillagro Services, retired Maj. Lancelot Anyanya, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The MoU signing was witnessed by the Acting Director, Legal Services (Army), Col. Samuel Okebukola.

In his remarks, Maj.-Gen. Nnabeife said the MoU was in fulfillment of President Tinubu’s directive to the Armed Forces of Nigeria to take advantage of all vast arable lands within the country for agricultural purposes.

He said that the Nigerian Army had since keyed into the directives through the NAFARL with the launch of the “Project Planting of One Million Date Fruit Seedlings”.

According to him, the farm had so far planted over 3,000 out of the projected 5,000 within its land in Giri on over 20 hectares of land.

“So, we are determined to ensure that we key into all Federal Government’s agricultural initiatives to ensure that we end this food insecurity in the country.

“We believe we can’t do it alone and that is why today we are signing this MoU with Ivillagro, a well-noted indigenous agricultural establishment that is vast in all aspects,” he said.

The NAFARL boss thanked the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for giving approval for the signing of the MoU to ensure that they build on the already established collaboration with the firm.

He said the COAS was determined to ensure that the farm grows and had assured of his continual support until NAFARL meaningfully contributed its quota to the National Grain Reserve.

On his part, the CEO of Ivillagro, retired Maj. Anyanya, said the MoU was a testament to the enduring commitment of the Nigerian Army to its depth of commitment to assuring food security as part of its wider constitutional commitment to aid civil authority.

He said that their commitment to the enterprise was not just driven by business or pecuniary considerations but an indication of their enduring commitment as Nigerians to make the country a better space for everyone to live in.

“As the saying goes, an army marches on its belly.

“So, I hope that together we can leverage technology, the institutional goodwill of the Nigerian Army, and other players in this vital ecosystem to support first the army in attaining self-sufficiency to make sure that our army, which is currently committed in multiple theaters to multiple operations, can truly march on a satisfied belly.

“And then onwards that our country will benefit from the understandable investment it is making and should continue to make in the Nigerian Army and indeed the Nigerian Armed Forces and other institutions of state.

“We will partner with you in every true sense of the word.

“We cannot ask for better partners in our commitment as a corporate entity than the Nigerian Army,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Stanley Nwanosike and Yakubu Uba

Agriculture

FG supports 2,000 wheat farmers in Niger

288 total views today

 

By Rita Iliya

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, on Thursday distributed inputs to 2000 farmers for dry season wheat farming in Niger.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the scheme is under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP).

 

Mr Ishaku Buba, National Project Officer of NAGS-AP, disclosed this during the distribution for the 2024/2025 in Garafini and Swashi communities in Borgu.

 

NAN reports that the scheme had taken off on 2,000 hectares of land in the two communities using mechanised farming methods.

Buba, who was represented by Musaku Emmanuel, said the initiative was a collaborative effort aimed at making Nigeria self-sufficient in wheat production.

 

“This initiative is expected to improve the living conditions of the community and address the shortfall of wheat production in the country.

 

“SMK Nigeria Limited provides the farmers with NPK and Urea fertilisers as well as certified and improved seeds of wheat,” he said.

 

Buba noted that the initiative was part of the Federal Government’s effort to boost wheat production in the country.

 

Alhaji Adamu Jibril, District Head of Garafini, who is also a wheat farmer lauded the gesture.

 

He expressed optimism that it would improve wheat production and livelihoods in the community.

 

“This initiative is aimed at improving the livelihoods of my subjects, and creating a sustainable economy,” he said.

Also speaking, Samaila Ismail, a farmer, said: “With the modern techniques, we have moved from peasant farming to mechanised farming, using tractors and planters to enhance our productivity.

 

“In the past, we used to get half a tonne per hectare, but now we can get three tonnes per hectare, which is 30 bags of wheat,” he said.

 

Ismail added that with this scheme, wheat importation would soon be a thing of the past in Nigeria.

 

He said that the support received would encourage more farmers to embrace wheat farming. (NAN)

Edited by Abigael Joshua and Yakubu Uba

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