By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, says President Bola Tinubu is very passionate about reducing the cost of fertiliser for Nigerian farmers to ensure the attainment of food security.

Shettima stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting with Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) and the Federal Government, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.

The stakeholders at the meeting also includes the Minister of Agriculture, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, and the Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting focused on the 33,000 metric tonnes of Potash donated to the Federal Government by Russia’s Uralchem Group and UN Partners.

NAN recalled that during the last Russia-Africa Summit held in St. Petersburg, Russia, in July, the Federal Government delegation met with the leadership of Uralchem Group and the World Food Programme (WFP).

The meeting centred on the donation of a consignment of 33,000 metric tonnes of potash.

Shettima said “our goal is to serve the Nigerian people as President Tinubu is very passionate about reducing the cost of fertilisers for the Nigerian public.

“No strings attached, no vested interest and the President will be happy if the price of fertilisers collapses by 50 per cent after this exercise.”

The vice president stated that Tinubu gives high premium to achieving the agenda of food security in the country.

“This accounts for the declaration of the state of emergency in food security sector by the Tinubu administration in July.

“We have many challenges with food security. However, we are lucky because President Tinubu is very empathetic and passionate about achieving food sufficiency in the country.”

He stressed on the seriousness attached to the donation and distribution of potash from Uralchem Group.

“There has to be transparency, equity and fairness in the distribution for the reason that the end beneficiaries are the Nigerian farmers and their leadership is seated here.”

Shettima assured the stakeholders that “there will be transparency. We are going to use our own blenders and the beneficiaries have to be the Nigerian people.”

Shettima said NEMA, World Food Programme (WFP) and AFEX, a commodity exchange firm, have the data base and other requirements that will assist the government in reaching out to farmers.

This, according to him, will be carried out in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security driving the process.

In attendance were the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Ernest Umakhihe; Director-General of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed, and President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Malam Kabir Ibrahim.

Others are; President, Fertilisers Producers And Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN), Sadiq Kassim; the Country Director of World Food Programme, Kucro Jawed, and representatives of National Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Associated Foreign Exchange (AFEX). (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Sylvester Thompson

The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) says it is committed to boosting agricultural productivity in the country.

This is contained in statement signed by Toyin Omozuwa ,Press Secretary to Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General, NABDA, and made available to the press in Abuja on Friday.

“Through innovative approaches and cutting-edge biotechnology solutions, NABDA is spearheading efforts aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, improving crop yields and ensuring food self-sufficiency for the nation.

“Africa’s foremost biotechnology development agency, NABDA, carries out well-focused research and development in biotechnology, in priority areas of agriculture, health, industry, environment among others for national development,’’ the statement read.

Omozuwa said NABDA’s commitment to harnessing biotechnology solutions for sustainable national development was yielding significant fruits, particularly at the grassroots, where there was growing appreciation of biotechnology’s capabilities to improve livelihoods.

She said NABDA is a driving force in harnessing biotechnology to improve the quality of life for Nigerians and mitigate socioeconomic impediments to development.

Following President Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency on food security,  the D-G of the agency was quoted in the statement as stating that NABDA aligned with the declaration.

Mustapha said “By harnessing the potential of biotechnology, NABDA is determined to revolutionise agriculture in Nigeria and ensure a sustainable and secure food supply.

“We are already collaborating with stakeholders, farmers, and researchers to tackle these challenges head-on.’’

The statement disclosed that NABDA, together with national and international partners is already driving Nigeria’s economic growth with the commercialisation of two genetically modified crops, Bt Cotton and Bt Cowpea.

Accordingly, farmers planted and harvested the improved variety of Bt. cowpea had attested to improved yields, reduction of pests, cost efficiency resulting from near-zero use of pesticides, and enhanced livelihood.

Other transgenic crops in the pipeline of commercialisation include TELA maize, HT soybean, among several others.

The agency has also revolutionised yam seedlings production. Its target of seven million yam seedlings has largely been successful with over two million produced and distributed to farmers.

Omozuwa said NABDA is promoting the adoption of modern biotechnology practices among farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

She said through capacity-building programmes, workshops, and training sessions, NABDA empowered farmers with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively utilise biotechnology tools and techniques.

“The NABDA has successfully introduced biotechnology techniques to improve livestock breeding and management.

“`By leveraging the power of biotechnology, NABDA has facilitated the production of healthier and more productive livestock, leading to increased meat and dairy production in Nigeria.

“In addition, NABDA is working towards a reduction in food waste through improved food processing, packaging and preservation techniques through biotechnology,” she said.

The statement assured that the agency’s ongoing efforts in biotechnology research and development, strategic collaborations, and capacity-building programmes would continue promote sustainable farming practices, and foster economic growth. (NAN)

Edited by Hajara Leman/Julius Toba-Jegede

By Olayinka Olawale

The Lagos State Coordinating Office, Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Support (APPEALS), has called for synergy among financial institutions, insurance companies, farmers and off-takers in the state.

Mrs Oluranti Sagoe-Oviebo, Lagos State Project Coordinator, APPEALS, made the plea on Thursday in Lagos at a joint forum of financial institutions, insurance companies, off-takers, stakeholders and beneficiaries.

The forum which was organised by the Lagos APPEALS Project in its Oko-Oba, Agege office, was to deliberate on sustainability of the project.

Speaking during the stakeholders’ forum, Sagoe-Oviebo, said that synergy among all agricultural stakeholders would promote productivity in the sector.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum was attended by representatives of financial institutions, insurance companies, farmers and off-takers in different agricultural value chains, specifically rice, poultry and aquaculture.

Sagoe-Oviebo urged the financial institutions and insurance companies to assist and support farmers with necessary funds to remain in business, just as she implored the farmers to be prudent and good managers of all resources.

“Today, we are having a meeting of our service providers – banks and insurance companies so they can interface with us and our cluster heads because that is the bedrock of the APPEALS project.

“The APPEALS is in the middle and we have all these people by our side.

“Last week, the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) came to my office that they wanted to support one cluster out of the many cluster groups that we have in APPEALS.

“I asked them to come and see what our farmers are doing here.

“I felt that there was the need for us to collaborate with other institutions, not just BoA.

“How can we work together to make sure that our farmers remain in business?

“The government alone can’t make it happen, it has to be a collective effort.

“We all have to determine amongst ourselves that we must make this thing happen. If all of us can work together, then our farmers will remain in business,” she said.

Sagoe-Oviebo noted that the APPEALS project had established 15 aggregation centres across the state in three value chains – poultry, aquaculture and rice.

“That is one thing that can trigger production. If the aggregation centres work, then farmers will definitely have every reason to produce.

“But we all know what is happening in the Industry today, so how can the Bank of Industry (BoI), how can the Bank of Agriculture help our farmers?.

“Bank of Agriculture can come and help with inputs, BoI can support with equipment, while insurance companies will insure our farmers.

“We have the commercial banks and that is why we are working with all these people with their wealth of experience to help us and guide us, so that we don’t make mistakes.

“We have so many people here today, let’s rub minds together; the cluster heads, everybody must work together.

“The banks must understand the terrain of agriculture. When I was speaking with BoA, I told them that a lot of people do not understand Agriculture,” she said.

Mr Akeem Osho, Zonal Manager, South-West Zone, BoA, said the financial institution was ready to assist farmers with short, medium and long-terms loans at affordable rates to boost their productivity.

Mr Johnbosco Idoko, the BoI Representative, urged farmers to develop insurance cultures as a way of protecting their businesses and farms.

He advised farmers to always read through every policy document at the point of registering for any insurance cover.

“BoI does not give group loans, we give loan to only individuals and registered businesses who have met all the requirements.

“If you must take a loan, ensure that you really need it and are not just copying your friends or neighbours,” Idoko said.

Dr Olisha Mokemo, NAICOM Representative, urged farmers to embrace insurance to protect their businesses and avoid loss, adding that this minimised risk management.

Mr Bolaji Folayan, Representative of Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Commission (NAIC), said that insurance was real and urged farmers to pay attention to their insurance policy and documents.

He urged the farmers to contact their insurance companies immediately after a disaster or loss occurred on their farms.

“Apart from India, Nigeria is the cheapest in agric. insurance cover.

“Call us immediately whenever there is emergency, so that we can ascertain the level of loss because any delay can be dangerous,” he said.

Mr Sejiro Oke-Tojinu, President, Lagos State Catfish and Allied Association (LASCAFAN), commended the APPEALS project for their support to farmers over the years.

“In terms of implementation, the APPEALS project has been awesome. It is one project that has really kept the farmers in business.

“We pray that the state government will continue with the project or adopt the model for other agric. programmes in Lagos, ” he said.

Some of the farmers expressed their displeasure over the services received from financial institutions and insurance companies.

They said that there was a lot of mistrust on the part of the financial institutions.

The farmers urged financial institutions to support them with market linkages, which could aid in the repayment of their loans. (NAN)

Edited by Oluyinka Fadare

By Bukola Adewumi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

A 2022 Food and Agricultural Organisation of United Nation (FAO) report estimates that 19.4 million Nigerians in 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory are at the recent of hunger

However, the Federal Government disagrees, insisting that the country is capable of meeting its food needs.

“We have enough food to take care of Nigerians. We are producing food across the country and we will continue to do so to feed Nigerians.

“The fact that some categories of food are imported by Nigeria is not an indication that we have food shortages.

“The high cost of food that we experience in the country is as a result of rising inflation, which is not peculiar to Nigeria but due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It forced many sectors of economic production to be shut down for many months”, said then minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammad Abubakar.

No matter how divided opinion about food security is, the fact remains that even in the midst of plenty food more needs to be produced to care of not only the immediate but also the future,

According to Fred Kafeero, the FAO Country Representative in Nigeria, there is need to do more if the country would conquer hunger and child malnutrition.

As populations grow, so does demand for food. Humans have adopted different technologies to meet this requirement, including progressing from subsistence to mechanised farming.

As technology evolves, one are experts say it is urgently required is in food production and they point at Genetically Modified Foods as the way forward to overcome hunger and malnutrition.

Critics of genetically engineered food say the food come with a lot of baggage including toxicity, suppression of immune system, allergic reactions, antibiotic resistance, loss of nutrition, among others.

However, advocates of GM food say it presents innovation and research; provide answers to food security, are health and can create wealth and employment.

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director General, National Agricultural Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) allays the fears.

For instance, he said at a recent engagement, many farmers who planted genetically modified beans seed recorded significant drop in the number of times they sprayed pest control chemicals.

He said testimonies abound from farmers nationwide who are benefiting from products of modern biotechnology in the country.

He listed the Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpea a variety of beans, which is now helping farmers overcome the devastating impacts of marcuca vitrata that causes 80 per cent destruction on the farmers’ field.

Maruca vitrata is a major pest in the farm. The caterpillars bore into the pods and eat the seeds

“Today, our farmers are applying only two insecticide sprays as against eight and 10 sprays previously applied as a result of the PBR Cowpea seedling.

“From healthcare to agriculture, energy to environment, biotechnology offers solutions that can significantly impact on the well-being of our citizens and the sustainability of our resources”, Mustapha said.

Dr Rose Gidado, Director, Agricultural Biotechnology Department said science and technology would contribute in making Africa food and nutritionally secured.

According to her, they will also promote public understanding of modern developments in agriculture.

Gidado said Tela Maize, for instance, has proven to be a success in improving yields and wealth creation for famers.

Tela is a genetically modified seedling of maize that is meant to resist attacks from fall army and stem bora worms, which have ravaged maize and caused financial losses to farmers in the past.

According to her, Tela Maize gives higher yields than the conventional maize, adding that here the ordinary maize gives about 1.4 tonnes, the Tela gives about 5.6 tonnes.

“Since it yields more tonnes, it means more money for Nigerian farmers and more food for the Nation, “she said

Prof Rabiu Adamu, Principal Investigator Tela Maize, Institute of Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, said, if Tela maize is fully adopted, Nigerians farmers would harvest about seven tonnes of maize per hectare.

This he said, would be contrary to three tonnes often harvested without GM which would inadvertently address food insecurity in maize production in the country.

In addition to GMOs, the Federal Government is exploring other opportunities in science and technology to ensure that no Nigerian family went to bed hungry. (NANFeatures)

By Kevin Okunzuwa

The Government of the United Kingdom has expressed its readiness to support Edo Government and Management of Okomu Oil Palm Company in their efforts to preserve forest reserves in the state.

Ms Martine Sobey, Head of Climate Change and Energy at the UK Embassy, Nigeria, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of her team’s tour of the Okomu Oil Palm Company on Tuesday.

Sobey is the Head of UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office(FCDO)Nigeria, Climate and Energy, in Abuja.

NAN reports that FCDO, Nigeria, is responsible for managing the British Government’s contributions to development, diplomacy and defence in Nigeria.

Its objective is to support sub-national governments and collaborate with development partners at federal and state levels to reduce effects of climate change.

Sobey told NAN that the UK Government was impressed with both Edo Government and Okomu Oil Palm Company’s effort at ensuring that the forest reserves in the state are being protected from violation.

“It’s a privilege for me and others from the British High Commission to visit the company.

” Our objectives are multiple. But first is to understand some of the challenges and the opportunities for preserving forest in Edo.

“That is critical for biodiversity, the people, communities and providing vibrant forest economy.

“We are ready to deepen our understanding of those issues of the company and challenges that the state government faces here.

“The programme is about encouraging market-led approaches to develop agric-business that delivers climate and nature outcomes.

“They are looking at opportunities in Edo including all those conversations we have had, to have a rich understanding of what is needed to shape the programme.

“So far, what we have heard is enriching to see that the company works so closely with a visionary CSO, African Nature Investors(ANI), who is doing a fantastic work on both the reserves and national park.

“For me, it’s been rewarding. It feels me with adequate optimism about the future of Edo,” she said.

Sobey noted that her organisation had continued to support Edo government including helping it with the reconstitution of its forest commission.

“This is really important at the state level because we know that forest is critical for climate change mitigation and also for adaptation perspective.

“And it goes alongside our own work at the Federal Government level where we were critical in providing the climate change Act which Nigeria introduced in 2021.

“That still has critical bearing at the local level where the climate change is still being fought by the communities,”she said.

Mr Tunde Morakinyo, Executive Director of ANI, told NAN that the organisation is focused on the protection of Africa’s wide animals and wide spaces.

“We are here in Benin because we have a mandate from the federal government to protect the national park.

‘We have also signed an agreement with Edo government to protect and develop Okomu Forest and the Gelegele Forest reserves.

“Am glad to report that activities of illegal poaching and felling of logs have reduced while several arrests and seizures have been made since our arrival.

“But the only challenge is the delay in the prosecution of forest crime offenders. We are trying to also train judiciary officials on this aspect,” he said.

The Managing Director, Okomu Oil Palm Company, Dr Graham Hefer, expressed gratitude for the visit, saying the company would continue to carry out its operations under the best standard practices.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

By Mercy Omoike

The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) Lagos chapter, said it was ready to take measures to elicit the government’s intervention in the sector.

The PAN Lagos chapter Chairman, Mr Mojeed Iyiola, said this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

He said the poultry sector was experiencing trying times as they expected the government’s palliatives to start rolling in, to cushion the effects.

“Presently we are yet to receive any palliatives from the Federal Government, we are still hopeful as we expect to hear from them soon.

“We have been trying to reach both the state and several ministries of agriculture on several occasions to come to our aid in the sector.

“So as an association, we intend to organise a rally, so that government can know that we need prompt intervention in the poultry sector.

It is a soft appeal for quick intervention of the government on the poultry sector as so many farmers have closed up their farms,” chairman told NAN.

Iyiola also appealed to the Federal Government to grant poultry farmers access to import maize as the importers are crippling the activities of the sector.

“Most local feed millers and poultry farmers have folded up. The cost of feeding keeps increasing on daily basis.

“We appeal to the government to come to our aid, to allow the importation of maize by poultry farmers through our association.

“ We want to import our own maize and not buy from the traders/importers, because they are ripping us of and are not considerate, they rather see us as competitors.

‘When maize dealers eventually import it, they sell it at their own convenience and at a rate that will not be affordable to the farmers, they have monopoly over the sector.

‘The price of poultry feeds keep changing everyday. Last week we bought a bag of layers feed for N10,000 but currently it sells for as high as N12,000 .

“The price of raw materials for poultry feeds is on the increase on a daily basis. This continuous price hike has kept poultry farmers in difficult times with many trying to break even.

“We are just trying to get by everyday, maize and soya is not easy to access, It is giving us problems,” Iyiola said.

According to him, “Wheat which is an alternative that could be used, is even more expensive than the maize and you cannot compare the performance of wheat to maize.

“The energy level of maize is far higher than that of wheat. If we make use of 1kg of maize in feed preparation, then you need almost 2kg of wheat with some additional soya to get the desired results.

“This in turn makes our cost of production to go higher,” he said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Felicia Imohimi

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on Wednesday trained 130 persons from Anglophone countries in West and Central Africa on financial management.

Dr Dede Ekoue, IFAD Country Director said this in Abuja at the first regional workshop on Financial Management of IFAD-Funded projects, for Anglophone countries in West and Central Africa (WCA).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants were drawn from Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

Ekoue said that the training was organised by the organisation’s Financial Management Division (FMD).

She said it was to provide effective and sustainable support for the financed projects to improve the living conditions of three-quarters of the global population living below extreme poverty.

Ekoue said that to improve the quality of financial management of IFAD-funded projects and programmes, it is crucial to find methods to strengthen the capacities of stakeholders.

She recalled that IFAD-funded projects will discuss various reforms relating to Financial Management and Fiduciary Reforms within the division.

The country director explained that the primary goal of the training was to discuss and reinforce the capacity of stakeholders regarding significant FMD reforms.

This includes – principally Interim Financial Reports (IFR). Disbursement FMD WCA initiatives such as the automation of the IFRs.

“The primary objectives of the workshop are to discuss the practical implementation of the reforms, specifically the interim financial report and disbursements.

“It is to also train project coordinators on theuse of the Financial Execution (FE) module of IFAD Client Portal (ICP) for submitting financial reports.

“The workshop objectives are noble if we are to fulfill our mandate while also ensuring value for money that improves the quality and standard of living and livelihoods of the most vulnerable communities and smallholder farmers.

“Smallholder farmers are central to IFAD’s strategic objectives and mandates, ” she said.

Ekoue said the current portfolio of IFAD’s WCA region consists of 62 programmes in 23 countries, with a total financing of approximately four billion dollars of which the organisation contributes approximately 1.9billion US dollars.

According to her, it is an opportunity for participants to interact and share their experiences, and best practices on the Financial Management and fiduciary assurance of the IFAD-funded projects.

In a remark, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development identified West and Central Africa as a region of great diversity and potential.

He was represented by Mr Tanimu Ibrahim, Director Planning and Policy Coordination of the ministry.

According to him, the region is home to about 400million people, of whom about 60 per cent live in rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihood.

He said agriculture is also a key contributor to the region’s economic growth, trade, and food security.

Umakhihe said that the region also faces many constraints, such as climate change, conflict, instability, poverty, inequality, malnutrition, and disease.

These challenges, according to him, required concerted and coordinated efforts from all stakeholders, including governments, regional organisations, development partners, civil society, and the private sector.

“This training is very timely and relevant. Through it participants will gain new knowledge and skills on how to manage your financial resources better.

“As you all know, agriculture is a key driver of our economy, contributing about 25 per cent of our GDP and employing about70 per cent of our labour force.

“It is also a vital source of food security, income, and livelihoods for millions of our rural poor people.

“However, agriculture also faces many challenges, such as climate change, low productivity, market access, infrastructure, and governance.

“Finance management is essential for ensuring transparency, accountability, and value for money in our agricultural programmes and projects,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Austin Tatah, Regional Financial Management Officer for IFAD in Abidjan, said IFAD has introduced a lot of reforms with regards to fund disbursement for the past few years.

Tatah said the training was an opportunity to reinforce the capacity of the project coordinators in order to optimise these reforms and embed them in their financial management system.

“We are moving from a transactional base approach to an analytical base approach with regard to how we analyse and provide disbursement to the project,” he said.

Monica Kwame-Greene, Project Coordinator for the Agriculture Value Chain Project in Sierra Leone and a participant, described financial management as key for any project.

“It is key we know the best practices and also to be able to manage funds that are for rural poor.

“We are here to learn how to manage these funds that are in the hands of the donors to the benefit of our people in different countries, ” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=======
Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Abigael Joshua

Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), an NGO on Wednesday joined other stakeholders in warning against the harmful usage of pesticides to safeguard public health in the country.

Mr Nnimmo Bassey, Director, HOMEF said this at a dialogue in Abuja with decision makers on hazards of pesticides and the need for a holistic food policy for the country.

“Many of the pesticides used by Nigerian farmers contain active ingredients linked to cancer or proven to be carcinogenic, including Glyphosate, Atrazine, Butachlor, Chlorpyrifos, Dichlorvos (DDVP), Endosulfan and Mancozeb.

“Farmers have reported health problems like difficulty in breathing, dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, eye problems, skin rashes, catarrh, acute diarrhoea, and respiratory problems that are linked with their use of pesticides.

“In addition to the deleterious human and environmental health impacts, the dependence of inorganic pesticides in Nigeria has serious implication on our economy,” Bassey warned.

He added that shockingly, up to 80 per cent of the pesticides used in Nigeria are classified as Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPS) and 40 per cent of those produced in the country have been banned in European countries.

“One of the most concerning aspects of pesticide use is the impact on the environment with their ability to leach into soil and contaminate groundwater, leading to long-term damage to ecosystems.

“Destruction of beneficial insects, disruption of pollination, and damage to soil microorganisms that are vital for maintaining healthy soils.

“The indiscriminate use of pesticides has led to the emergence of resistant pest populations, which further escalates the need for stronger chemicals and intensifies the cycle of destruction,” the director said.

He said that the consequences of pesticide exposure on human health could not be overlooked in Nigeria, adding that pesticide poisoning has become a regular occurrence.

“The export markets are closing against us because of pesticide residues above allowable standards.There is also the wrong notion of over-emphasis on food security at the expense of food sovereignty.

“While food sovereignty demands that agricultural production suits the culture, environment and needs of the people, food security is concerned with placing any sort of food on the table.

“The truth, however, is that food security can best be attained under the atmosphere of food sovereignty,” Bassey said.

He said that one of the result of arguments often posited is that food security can only be achieved with the adoption of modern agricultural biotechnology.

“We note that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are mostly engineered to withstand dangerous herbicides which kills other varieties except the engineered ones.

“Other crops are genetically engineered to act as pesticides and kill identified pests that would otherwise attack the crop or seeds. Examples include Bt Cotton and Bt Cowpea or beans approved for commercial release in Nigeria.

“We have a National Biosafety Management Agency Act which ought to safeguard human and environmental health from the risks associated with GMOs but instead, the law is froth with several lacunas that allow the free movement of these products.

“Some of the gaps in the Act are in the areas of risk assessments and management; access to information; public consultation and participation; liability and redress; labelling and the right to know; decision‐making and appeals and reviews,” the director said.

Hon. Terseer Ugbor Deputy Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Environment, assured commitment to policies that will enhance a healthy and more sustainable environment in the country.

Ugbor who was represented by Mrs Omoh Oziegbe his Personal Assistant called for the collective support of key stakeholders in the environment sector to ensure that the country is rid of harmful usage of pesticides.

Mrs Oreoluwa Adeyemi a Legal Practitioner with Alliance for Action on Pesticide in Nigeria, called for immediate action on a single regulation that is encompassing on the usage of pesticides to safeguard lives.

“The present regulation did not take into cognisance banned pesticides that are still being presented for registration, which other countries are done away with, so that has to be considered,” she urged. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

  

By Olayinka Olawale

The Lagos COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme (Lagos-CARES) has distributed various farm assets to 1,531 processing and producing farmers in the state.

Speaking during the distribution at the Lagos Farm Service Centre, Agege, on Tuesday, Mr Jonathan Obayemi, the state Project Coordinator, FADAMA, said the assets would be distributed to individuals and farmers’ group.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is a tripartite agreement between the Federal Government, 36 State Governments and World Bank.

According to him, the exercise is part of the state government’s effort to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and fuel subsidy removal.

‘This empowerment programme is aimed at supporting farmers after the COVID-19 pandemic as well as mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

“Today, what we are doing is just the continuation of our disbursement to beneficiaries under the Lagos CARES programme through Lagos State FADAMA coordination office, under the Ministry of Agriculture.

”Today, we are disbursing to over 1,531 beneficiaries and this will bring the total number of beneficiaries so far to 10,000 farmers with productive and processing assets under the Lagos-CARES programme,” he said.

Obayemi said that under the Lagos CARES programme, the 13,943 beneficiaries drawn from 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development Areas, would be supported with inputs and agriculture infrastructure improvement programme.

The project coordinator, however, noted that over 10,000 farmers had so far benefited from the programme directly and more farmers would be shortlisted as well as supported in the next phase.

”We have a target of about 13, 943 individuals to be directly supported. So far, we have been able to reach about 10,000 beneficiaries directly,” he said.

Obayemi said that the Lagos CARES programme which was continuous, had indirectly impacted over 100,000 family.

He said that the assets distributed include; 50 Battery cages, 27 water tanks, 83 fish tanks, 153 water pump, 10 submersible, two surface, six water hose, 12 motorised sprayer, 68 gas burner, 68 gas cylinders, five smoking kilns, nine deep Freezer and nine generators.

He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the farm assets, adding that the impact would reflect in their total outputs.

The programme coordinator also called on the group leaders to share the assets received on behalf of their members evenly.

“I urge you to make good use of the assets and support received.

“We know this is a very challenging time for our country but I can assure Lagos residents that with this intervention and several other initiative coming under the administration of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, people will begin to feel positive impact and reduction in the price of food items.

“I thank all our stakeholders for being supportive and I thank our farmers community associations for their cooperation and resilient because I believe farmers should be commended for their effort for putting food on the table.

“We urge you to use the assets judiciously to boost food production and improve your livelihood after COVID-19 and mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal,” he said.

However, some beneficiaries commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his continuous support and empowerment to farmers in the state.

Mr Tai Benedict, the Chairman, Bosere Farm Group, Epe, commended the government for the initiative and urged it to do more to help farmers.

Benedict confirmed that the group received 10 motorised sprayers for pest control on their farms .

“We are tax payers, so government should do more to support us so that we can boost food production.

“The assets received will help our members to fight pest infestation during planting season.”

Also, Mrs Afusat Suleimon, the Chairman, Alubarikaloju Fish Processing Group, Eputu, Ibeju- Lekki, commended the government for the support, describing it as lifesaving.

Sulaimon said the group of 10 received one Deep Freezer, generator, smoking kilns and industrial scale.

She said that the assets received would boost production and better the lives of members during challenges.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we lost a lot, our businesses collapsed and many of our members have not recovered,” she said.

She added that the farm assets would help group members to improve businesses and provide opportunity to export products. (NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Muhammad Suleiman Tola