News Agency of Nigeria
Engage practioners to manage agric sector, group urges Tinubu
Agriculture , General News

Engage practioners to manage agric sector, group urges Tinubu

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By Justina Auta

The National Agricultural Commodities Project 2023 has urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint professional practitioners to manage the agricultural sector to achieve national food security.

The group of experts, comprising of over 70 agricultural commodities associations, made the call during a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Alhaji Ali Baba, President, Pastoral and Livestock Feeds Association, said appointing experts from the association to manage the sector would assist in utilising agriculture for national development.

“As representatives of association comprising farmers, producers, traders and other stakeholders involved in the agricultural value chain, we recognise the significant role that agriculture plays in the development of our nation.

“With the recent strides made by the Nigerian government to prioritise agriculture and achieve self-sufficiency in food production, we believe that involving key players from the Commodities Association in decision making processes will enhance the growth and success of the sector,” he said.

Baba said ensuring representatives from the association to manage the sector would foster partnership between the government and the grassroots, as well as transformation in the sector.

“We stand ready to support, work and collaborate with the government in its efforts to achieve food security, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and propel the agricultural sector towards sustained growth and development.

“Because food security is national security and we are confident that with President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, no farmer will be left behind,” he said.

Mr John Adekoredo, the Country Director, LAWPA Nigeria, said as leaders and representatives of various agriculture commodities groups, they understand their challenges and appropriate ways to address them.

“We who understand the territory can advocate for our farmers; we have been putting our resources, our technical knowhow, connect outside the country to bring value addition in agriculture value chain.

“In recent times, policies of government are been taken without taking into cognisance people who feed the country.
“We as commodities presidents, who are voice to Nigerian farmers are saying let our farmers breathe and we can only do that when we who understand their plights are the ones in the helms of affairs holding these offices.”

Contributing, Alhaji Iliyasu Bulama, the President, National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NACDPAMN), said appointing members of the commodities project would aide in resolving farmers and herders clashes.

“If this is put into consideration, there will be no fighting between herders and farmers and then insecurity and banditary will be stopped.

“Because by the time you manage the herders, you put them in places where they will exercise modern farming in terms of ranches, criminality will reduce,” he said.

Similarly, Dr Sadiq Hassan-Arivi, a Security Expert, said appointing relevant stakeholders in the sector would address insecurity, boost agricultural productivity and generate revenue for the country.

“In terms of security, the present government has said that one of the new service chiefs objective and order is to make sure the farm is safe for the farmers to work.

“Issue of farmers/herders clashes and banditry will be a thing of the past.

“Also, the farmers should support the government and make sure that you are part of the agenda.

“There is no way you can talk about agriculture without the farmers and that is why the government is taking it very serious,” he said.

Mr Retson Tedheke, the President, Nigeria Farmers Group and Cooperative Society (NFGCS), highlighted that investment and capable management of the agriculture sector would create job opportunities, food, economy and cultural security.

Tedheke said: “It is an appeal to the government to put people who know how to do the job in positions to get the job done.

“Our appeal to the President, we must get outside that realm that those managing on behalf of farmers are not farmers.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

UNESCO REF unveils women in agricultural initiative for ‘zero hunger
Agriculture

UNESCO REF unveils women in agricultural initiative for ‘zero hunger

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By Funmilayo Adeyemi

 

The UNESCO Read and Earn Federation (UNESCO REF) has unveiled the Young Women in Agriculture (YWA) champions initiative, aimed at achieving “zero hunger” for the country.

The President, UNESCO REF, Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu, in Abuja on Wednesday said that initiative under its Strategic Intervention Programme -ALPHA (SIP-ALPHA) would help in attain the United Nations global goals before or by 2030.

According to him, agriculture was the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy before the discovery of crude oil.

As such, from 1960 to 1969, the sector accounted for average of 57 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generated 64.5 per cent of export earnings.

Recognising the key role women play in agriculture, Ladigbolu said the initiative could not have come at any better time than now when food insecurity had become a major issue.

”The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that women make up 43 per cent of the agricultural workforce globally. This number goes up to over 60 per cent in least developed countries.

” In spite of the key role women play in agricultural development, women have less access to technologies, In information, resources, and finance for their agriculture activities across the globe.

”The cost of the gender productivity gap in agriculture-inequalities in access to and control of productive and financial resources inhibits agricultural productivity, reduces food security, and costs millions to countries,” he said.

The president also said that agriculture has incredible impact on lives and communities ranging from food provision to creating jobs and economic opportunities.

He canvassed for the exploration of new technologies and approaches that would transform the agricultural industry.

“At UNESCO REF, we are optimistic that this transformative approach would enhance the acceleration of past progress made by putting us on track towards achieving the goal of strengthening small holders, women’s livelihood and resilience in Nigeria.

” This is part of concerted efforts in ensuring food security, addressing food waste and loss, improve food nutrition security and provide them with viable strategies that create real, long-term results for economic development and community stability,” he added

He stressed the need for equal inclusion of women in all areas of development initiatives as this would enable them to fully use their potential, creativity and talents.

He said that their inclusion was instrumental for the economic development of the country, adding that the economic strength of women would help achieve other pillars of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Women’s Space in the United States, Ogechi Onyeukwu, said risks were associated with food insecurity, hunger, poverty and poor diets, hence the need for the initiative.

Onyeukwu said the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had accelerated a global food crisis, driving millions more into extreme poverty, and around 205 million people across 45 countries now have so little food to eat.

”As a Nigerian in the diaspora, I have always been passionate about the development of women development and find it paramount to contribute my own quarter towards the actualisation of the United Nations global goal in the country.

”That is why I took it upon myself to talk to relevant stakeholders in the US, most especially with the executive members of Women’s space to see reasons why we should invest in women capacity building, focusing on the agricultural sector.

”This is because agriculture is also crucial to economic growth, accounting for 4 per cent of global GDP and in some least-developed countries, it can account for more than 25 per cent of GDP,” she said.

She further urged Nigerians in the diaspora to embrace the cause of women’s development to create a supportive environment for Nigerian women to thrive. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Agriculture

Don urges FG to conduct animal census

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By Olayinka Olawale

Prof. Olajide Babayemi of Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan has urged the Federal Government to conduct census to ascertain the total number of animals in the country.

 

Babayemi, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday, said that the census would help in policy formation on animals.

 

According to him, there is no record on total number of animals living in the country.

 

He said that President Bola Tinubu should concentrate on agriculture to improve food production, saying there are crops, animals and other components that help agriculture.

 

“When we talk about food security, we are talking of agriculture; our new president should face agriculture squarely to enhance production in the sector

 

“The president should focus on carrying out survey to know the number of animals that we have in Nigeria. Animal census is as good as human census too. We don’t have the data, what we have is an assumption,’’ he said.

 

The don queried the 12 million cattle figure and 40 million goats quoted in Nigeria, saying, who told you that?.

 

“For example, if you have 24 million cattle in Nigeria, divide it by number of people that you have, that will give you an idea of what is on the table or on ground.

 

“When last did we do animal census? No one can say. I have never seen where it is done. Since I have been born, it has never been done,” he said.

 

Babayemi said that the Federal Government should conduct the census as done in other countries where record keeping plays a major role in planning.

 

He said that nobody could answer the question on the total number of animals in the country as well as whether enough are being produced due to lack of data.

 

He said, “In other places they know the number of animals they have in their country at any point in time. If an animal has delivered today, there is a record that a new baby in the animal kingdom has been born.

 

“But in Nigeria, we don’t have any record, adding that government should discourage the dependence on foreign supply of animals from neighbouring countries.”

 

According to him, some of the animals consumed in Nigeria come from Niger, Mali, Cameroon and other neighbouring countries.

 

He said that though there are other sources of protein like fish, chicken and others, but all over the world, people depend on cattle because it could serve the population as much as possible.

 

He added that Nigeria should not continue to depend on the neighbouring countries for cattle and urged the president to focus mainly on agriculture.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

 

We’re committed to fight against rights to land inequalities—FG
Agriculture

We’re committed to fight against rights to land inequalities—FG

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By Abigael Joshua

The Federal Government on Tuesday in Abuja said it would continue to work towards removing all barriers that inhibit women’s right to access to land.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, said this at a stakeholders dialogue on combating land degradation and gender equality.

The dialogue was part of the activities to commemorate the 2023 World Desertification and Drought Day.

Idris was represented by Ms Mabel Emmanuel, the Director Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought Management, in the ministry.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of 2023 World Desertification and Drought Day is: “Her Land. Her Right: Advancing Gender Equality and Land Restoration Goals”.

“We cannot shy away from the fact that women have unequal and limited access over the control of land. Women hold a vital stake in the health of the land, yet they often don’t have control over land.

“In all parts of the world, women face significant barriers in securing land rights, limiting their ability to thrive and prosper.

“And when land becomes degraded and water is scarce, women are often the worst affected.

“Investing in women’s equal access to land and associated assets is a direct investment in their future and the future of humanity,” Idris said.

He said that the theme aimed at drawing attention to the critical role of gender equality and inclusiveness in tackling land management issues.

He added that similarly, the theme also aimed at “achieving land degradation neutrality and sustainable livelihoods and welfare of the vulnerable groups, especially the women.

“Land degradation is currently one of the world’s most pressing environmental problems and it is expected to worsen especially in Nigeria with increasing population unless remedial action is taken.

“Land degradation affects everyone through food insecurity, higher food prices, climate change, environmental hazards and the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services”, he said.

The permanent secretary said that it was time for women and girls to be at the forefront of global land restoration and drought resilience efforts.

“It is therefore pertinent for us to join the global community to revisit and review our land laws.

“We must find ways to promote women’s access to, use of and control over land and other productive resources because it is essential to ensuring their right to equality and to an adequate standard of living.

“These resources help to ensure that women are able to provide for their day-to-day needs and those of their families, and to weather some of life’s most difficult challenges,” Idris said.

He said that the obstacles which prevent women from effectively enjoying these rights are complex and to a large extent context specific.

“We will not only identify these challenges but we must find ways of addressing them, accurately and timely.

“Women are agents of change and they are drivers of climate change adaptation as well as sustainable development.

“I am very optimistic that today’s dialogue will bring needed solutions to all the issues faced by women in today’s society,” he assured.

Speaking in her capacity, the Director Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought Management  said that numerous studies and experiences worldwide have confirmed that gender inequalities must be addressed.

Emmanuel worried that women are often the most affected by drought, land degradation and desertification, notably, land is the most critical economic resource for most rural people.

“Lack of ownership and control over land by women around the world exposes them to poverty, hunger, gender-based violence, and displacement.

“Women are often excluded from land registration and ownership systems, making them vulnerable to eviction and land grabbing.

“In Nigeria and many other countries, women have unequal and limited opportunities to access, own or inherit land in their name,” she said.

The Director Programmes, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Dr Akintunde Babatunde, urged stakeholders to figure how lands can be maximised based on the theme.

“At CJID, what we do is to leverage the tools for Journalism, data and research to see how we can create an environment where the media can create ideas for transformative change.

Babatunde urged that more lands be allocated to the women to increase survival value.

Dr Salisu Dahiru, Director-General of the National Council for Climate Change, said his agency would partner with the Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders on land restoration.

Dahiru said that the need to restore land for prosperity is tied to human survival. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

IFAD, FG commence wet season farming in Enugu
Agriculture

IFAD, FG commence wet season farming in Enugu

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IFAD, FG commence wet season farming in Enugu

 

Alex Enebeli

The International Fund for Agricultural Development -Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP), has commenced wet season farming in Enugu and distributed inputs worth millions of Naira to 5,000 rural farmers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized agency of the United Nations that works to address poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries.

Some of the agric inputs distributed to farmers are NPK and Urea fertilizers, certified seed rice, cassava stem, sprayers, planters and selective and non-selective herbicides.

The beneficiaries of the programme are rural farmers from the five Council Areas of Aninri, Enugu East, Nkanu East, Isi Uzo and Udenu in Enugu State.

At the event, the National Programme Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP, Dr Fatima Aliyu, said she was impressed with the performance being recorded by VCDP farmers in Enugu State.

Aliyu, represented by the Programme’s National Human Resources Advisory, Mr Gidado Bello, said Enugu VCDP was one of the best performing states of the nine states benefitting from the IFAD-VCDP.

He lauded the Enugu State IFAD-VCDP Programme Coordinator, Dr Edward Isiwu, and his team for their effective, committed and purposeful leadership as well as for delivering the inputs on time and ahead of other states.

“We are in Abuja and we know how states perform and I am impressed with the presence of government officials, traditional rulers and farmers in this event.

“We have to support farmers in the state to ensure food sufficiency and security,” Aliyu said.

In his remark, Chairman of the event, Dr Godwin Aboyi, said the event was a unique day for farmers in Enugu and lauded IFAD, the Federal Government and Dr Isiwu for living up to expectations by supplying farmers with inputs.

Earlier in a welcome address, Isiwu noted that IFAD, since inception in the state in 2020, had always kicked off wet season farming by given farmers agro inputs.

He explained that the benefitting farmers represent farmers’ organisations that runs as cooperatives, adding that their new groups would be supported in next two years.

“By 2025, we will wean them and by God’s grace, we will extend the programme to accommodate others farmers.

“As we are flagging the wet season planting today, we are going to give beneficiaries business plan we prepared as well as inputs,” Isiwu said.

He added that by December, the farmers would produce enough rice and garri for Enugu residents.

Speaking also, the governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said 10,000 farmers had been empowered with agro inputs since 2020. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

LASG, FAO woo investors to Epe feedlot project
Agriculture

LASG, FAO woo investors to Epe feedlot project

392 total views today

By Olayinka Olawale

The Lagos State Government and the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations  (FAO) have urged investors to explore the huge opportunities in its proposed 750 hectares cattle feedlot project in Igbodu, Epe.

Mrs Olatokunbo Emokpae, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, stated this at a Stakeholders’ Engagement on the Feasibility and Value  Analysis of the Cattle Feedlot Estate, on Friday in Ikeja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inception workshop of the Technical Cooperation Facility Project Feasibility and Value Chain Analysis of the Red Meat Value Chain, particularly the Cattle Feedlot Estate in Lagos State was organised by the FAO of the United Nations.

Emokpae said the workshop was aimed at exposing investors to the investment opportunities available in the ministry’s Feedlot Estate Project.

He added that the opportunities span cattle production, processing, logistics, beef marketing, and distribution in the state.

“Today’s event will also identify the project capacity needs, evaluate environmental issues that could arise during its implementation and proffer solutions to mitigate them.

“Lagos State with a human population of over 24 million, currently requires a total of 1.4 million heads of cattle valued at over N490 billion annually while local production from existing feedlots in the state is presently 12,000 heads of cattle.

“This leaves a gap of over 1,380,000 head of cattle which is sourced from other states of the federation and neighbouring countries.

“It is, therefore, clear that a viable investment niche exists in this lucrative value chain, which accounts for about five per cent of the state Gross Domestic Product,” she said.

Emokpae noted that in view of the inherent economic potential of cattle production, and the need to enhance the supply of wholesome beef in Lagos, and by extension contribute to the attainment of the state’s food security agenda.

She said that the administration of Mr Babajide  Sanwo-Olu commenced work on the establishment of a cattle feedlot project for which a 750Ha parcel of land was acquired at Igbodu, Epe.

“A total of 250 hectares has been cleared and parceled into lots of five hectares each for allocation to investors.

“The feedlot project will also facilitate beef traceability among many other health benefits for Lagosians, generate income for investors, create jobs, and stimulate economic activities within the project community.

“It is envisaged that the project will be replicated in the three senatorial districts of the state over time.

“Aside from investing in the feedlot project, opportunities also exist in other areas of the red meat value chain of which investors can take advantage and make good returns on investment.

“Presently, 18 semi-mechanised abattoirs and eight
mechanized abattoirs have been established in various locations across the state.

“In this direction, the state government is blazing the trail through the establishment of the Lagos State By-Product Processing Centre at Oko- Oba Agege.

“This centre which is the first of its kind in the country is almost at the completion stage,” she said.

She commended the FAO team for the innumerable support availed the ministry not only for the feedlot project but also in the development of the coconut value chain.

She encouraged all participants, members of the Organised Private Sector, and other development partners to come on board and join Lagos state in actualising the dream of making the state food-secured.

In his remarks, Mr Fred Kafeero, the FAO Representative to Nigeria, solicited the full cooperation of all stakeholdets during  the meeting.

Kafeero was represented by Mrs Adeola Akinrinlola, Project Officer.

He said that the FAO would continue to provide strategic support to national development programme and strategies aimed at reducing poverty, improving food security and management of natural resources.

“It is worthy of note to mention here that Lagos State Government has demonstrated high commitment to develop the livestock sector through establishment of the cattle feedlot farm estate.

“It is a private sector led initiative whereby government allocates land for small, medium and large feedlot operations within the estate.

“The government will also provide common infrastructure and sanitary services on a cost recovery basis.

“It was within this context that the state government requested for FAO technical support the implementation if the initiative.

“To respond to this request, FAO designed a Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) facility to access all aspects of the proposed feedlot project, including technical, economic, financial and environmental consideration.

“This is  to determine valid reasons to advance the project idea, improves  the focuse of the project and provides useful information for the project implementation.

“I am glad to let you know that FAO will provide in a timely, efficient and cost effective manner, a range of managerial and technical advisory services.

“This will be done through a combination of FAO field staff, technical backstopping mission, consultancies and other contractual arrangements to the study.

In his welcome address, Dr Rasheed Macaulay, Director, Veterinary Services in the ministry, said very few commercial cattle farms exist in the state with total annual production of 12,000 cattle per annum.

Macaulay said that it was appropriate for all stakeholders along the red meat value chain to be informed of the importance of exploring the opportunities in the Feedlot estate project.

“As a way forward for the implementation of the project, the ministry has secured the by-in of 36 investors who have already subscribed for allocations at the Feedlot estate.

“These subscribes will move to site as soon as the allocation of lots is concluded by the government.

“We strongly believe that this exercise by the combined technical team of the FAO, state government and cooperation of relevant stakeholders along the value chain, shall contribute significantly to the success and sustainability of the project in term of efficiency and effectiveness,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Agro firm unveils learning platform to boost food security
Agriculture

Agro firm unveils learning platform to boost food security

306 total views today

By Mercy Omoike

Agrolearn, an agric education group, has launched a learning platform to boost food security in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Agrolearn is a transformative platform set to revolutionise agricultural education and create new opportunities for agripreneurs.

The Founder and Brand lead of Agrolearn, Ms Tolulope Aina, said at the launch on Friday in Lagos that the platform was birthed to change the narrative of agriculture practice and increase food security in the country.

“Agrolearn was birthed from my experience as a graduate of agriculture.

“We have realised that one major challenge with agriculture is the lack of adequate access to the right information.

“Agrolearn is a brand that focuses on creating sustainable businesses and opportunities for anybody to thrive in the agricultural sector.

“We are doing this by making available quality courses which are created by experts from all over the world.

“Agrolearn is the solution that ensures that we bring global experts together to educate agriprenuers and farmers in boosting food security,” Aina said.

She added that the platform offers self-paced learning for students and agriprenuers to ensure quality and right access to information in any agriculture activity.

Aina said that access to the platform is affordable and at a discounted price for first month of its operation.

“Agrolearn offers not just adequate information but internship opportunities and hands on experience in agricultural practices.

“Eventually, we hope that with support from governments and development organisations we can also look for opportunities to provide access to funding for those interested to be in the agric space.

“So, no matter your financial situation, you can actually access courses on our platform free or 50 per cent discounted for the next one month.

“We also hope that with the support of the government, we can see how we can make the platform accessible to a wider range of people who afford to pay,” she said.

Aina noted that the company’s goal was to empower individuals with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to succeed in the agricultural sector while driving sustainable development and socioeconomic growth.

On her part, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Olatokunbo Emokpae, represented by Mr Emmanuel Audu, commended the initiative and assured of the ministry’s support.

“At this moment, the ministry is very interested in innovation within the agric space that will scale up food production, create jobs and improve livelihoods for rural folks.

“I am delighted to be in your midst on this occasion marking the launch of Agrolearn platform, which is aimed at equipping African agrarians with skills required to drive economic growth and food security.

“We cannot afford to practise agriculture as it used to be. We cannot practise rudimentary agriculture with attendant drudgery as this will not open the space for youth participation which is urgently needed in the space.

“So, I believe that this event is very apt as a skill development and capacity building platform for our teeming youths and women. It will accelerate inclusiveness in the agribusiness .

“Therefore, we congratulate the organisers of this event for this laudable initiative which the ministry believes will go a long way in promoting and developing agribusinesses in the state,” Emokpae said.

Also speaking, Mrs Remi George-Ashiru, representative of the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology, Engr. Ibilola Kasunmu, commended the efforts of the company in bringing technology to agriculture.

“The vision of the ministry is to make Lagos State a model for application of technology for solving problems and making impacts in human endeavours.

“Technology would improve our agric business; there are so much opportunities in the agriculture sector and technology will make it a little bit better.

“The ministry is here to encourage the Agrolearn launch and will be willing to support the initiative subject to the government’s approval.

“So, we are pleased to be able to collaborate with Agrolearn and we hope to take things to another level. We want to congratulate you for a job well done,” Kasunmu said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Boosting Catfish: Stakeholders begin implementation of programme in Africa
Agriculture

Boosting Catfish: Stakeholders begin implementation of programme in Africa

374 total views today

By Bukola Adewumi

Stakeholders in the agricultural sector, on Thursday in Abuja, launched the African Catfish Value Chain to address the challenges in its farming and boost productivity.

The Representative of UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Fred Kafeero, during the launch of the flagship programme, themed: “FISH4ACP”, said the project was an opportunity to reiterate FAO’s commitment to a blue transformation of the catfish sub-sector.

Kafeero said FISH4ACP” was a global fish value chain development programme, set up by the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), being implemented by the FAO, and funded by the EU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

“Nigeria is a very important and strategic member state in the development. Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of African catfish, with an estimated annual production of one million tonnes (in 2021), worth around 2.6 billion dollars.

“Additionally, Nigeria has an estimated 285, 000 producers, of which small-scale farmers represent over 60 per cent. The catfish value chain itself offers employment to about one million people.

“This data, according to the value chain, followed the analysis conducted by FISH4ACP and the FMARD (Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), which underpins the strategy we are launching today,” he said.

Kafeero noted that the strategy would reduce harm to human health, and lessen the burden on the environment, through the introduction of cleaner smoking technologies.

Frank Okafor, who represented the International Partnership Officer of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Urszula Solkiewics, said the African Catfish Strategy, developed under the Fish4ACP Programme, reflected stakeholders’ commitment to supporting sustainable and inclusive growth in the fisheries sector.

“The EU and the German Government, have long recognised the importance of investing in the fisheries sector, both as a means of livelihood for communities, and as a contributor to the overall economic growth of the continent.

“Through the Fish4ACP Programme, we aim to strengthen the capacities of African countries to sustainably manage their fisheries resources, enhance the competitiveness of the sector, and foster regional cooperation.

“By supporting the African Catfish Strategy, we strive to address the challenges faced by catfish farmers and entrepreneurs in Nigeria and beyond,” Solkiewics said.

The Permanent Secretary, FMARD, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, represented by the Director of Special Duties at the Ministry, Fausat Lawal, said Fish4ACP Initiative aimed to ensure economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the fishery and aquaculture value chains.

Umakhihe said the ministry was supporting fish farmers’ efforts at boosting the catfish sector due to its potential for job creation and widening business opportunities.

The National President, Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), Dr. Ebinimi Ansa, said the catfish value chain played a vital role in meeting the growing demand for quality fish products, generating employment opportunities, and contributing to Nigeria’s food security and economic growth.

Ansa said the launch of the programme marked a significant milestone in the collective efforts to harness the potential of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, by focusing on the value chain approach. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Nkiru ifeajuna/Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

Group seeks diversion of fuel subsidy withdrawal proceeds to agricultural fund
Agriculture

Group seeks diversion of fuel subsidy withdrawal proceeds to agricultural fund

242 total views today

By Felicia Imohimi

The Nigeria Young Farmers Network (NYFN) has advised the Federal Government to divert large percentage of funds saved from fuel subsidy withdrawal to National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF).

Dr Abubakar Musa, the National President of the organisation, gave the advice in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday.

Musa said that this would foster sustainable agricultural practices and support the growth and development of the nation’s agricultural sector and enhance food security.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NADF is aimed at giving critical financial support that would facilitate rapid and sustainable growth in various aspects of the nation’s agricultural sector for the benefit of all citizens.

NADF signed into law by the immediate past administration has as part of its functions provision of money to support agricultural development taking into consideration food production and food security in all ramifications.

These include crop production, livestock, fisheries, poultry and agro-forestry.

Musa, who said that the Tinubu administration took a bold step to withdraw fuel subsidy, commended the government for the action.

The president, who emphasised the importance of agriculture in the nation’s economy, implored the federal government to invest in its long-term sustainability.

“The diversion of the fuel subsidy payments to the National Agricultural Development Fund will enhance agricultural productivity, promote technological advancements and improve the livelihoods of farmers across the country.

“The funds redirected from subsidies should be allocated to various key initiatives within the agricultural sector.

“These initiatives may include, research and development: investing in research programmes to enhance crop varieties, improve farming techniques and develop innovative solutions that address agricultural challenges,” he said.

Musa said that diversion of subsidy withdrawal payments to NADF would support agriculture programmes through the provision of financial assistance, training, and resources to small-scale farmers, to enhance their productivity and ensure sustainable agricultural practices.

He listed other areas to includes investing in critical agricultural infrastructure such as irrigation systems, rural roads, storage facilities and processing centres to facilitate efficient value chain management and post-harvest losses reduction.

“I emphasise that this diversion of funds does not signify the abandonment of the need to address the concerns and
welfare of the people.

“It is rather, a strategic reallocation of resources to address the long-term needs of the agricultural sector which ultimately benefits the entire nation.

“We believe that this decision will contribute significantly to the realisation of our agricultural potential, food security, rural development, and economic diversification,” he said.

Musa further said that it was the collective responsibility of both government and stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria’s agricultural sector thrives, providing sustainable livelihoods for young farmers and contributing to the overall economic growth of the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bayo Sekoni

Agriculture

Nigeria to develop Food System Transformation pathway- Official

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Nigeria is set to develop the implementation strategy for Food System Transformation Pathway in order to boost security and reduce unemployment among youths and women.

Dr Sanjo Faniran, who is the National Convenor of the UN Food Systems and Director of Social Development, Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, disclosed this in Abuja.

Faniran said that the strategy would address the questions of poverty, inadequate supply of nutritious food and non-consumption of minimum dietary diversity in the country.

He said it would also address stunting, chronic malnutrition, underweight, anaemia and diet-related noncommunicable diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, stroke and cancers, among others.

Faniran said that the national food systems transformation aimed to achieve some goals by 2030 as well as promote sustainable food trade, increase women’s empowerment in Agriculture Index Score, and increase Environmental Performance Index score.

The food system pathways aim to improve the productivity and sustainability of the food system while promoting health and nutrition, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing socio-economic development in Nigeria.

The implementation of these pathways requires a multi-stakeholder approach and engagement at all levels to ensure that the objectives are achieved.

To this end, he said, the ministry would hold a zonal workshop involving stakeholders in Kano on Monday and Awka, Anambra on Thursday on the development of the strategy.

He said that the workshop would be in collaboration with Kano State Government, World Food Programme, Food and Agriculture Organisation, IFAD, GAIN and AGRA.

The Kano consultation workshop is to harvest input from all the Northern States towards the development of a robust and inclusive implementation of the strategy.

Faniran said that consultation workshops would be used to harvest input of stakeholders, especially state actors in the Food System Value Chain, to strengthen and ensure an inclusive and jointly-owned Plan, taking into consideration various professional, technical and socio-economic positions of the stakeholders.(NAN)

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