News Agency of Nigeria
Agriculture

PAN urges politicians, govts to buy eggs

By Zainab Oyekan
Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Plateau chapter, has called on politicians and government to buy eggs to help reduce farmers huge losses.
The Chairman of the association, Mr Johnson Bagudu disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Wednesday, saying that poultry farmers had recorded losses as a result of the egg glut.
He said that the glut was as a result of the naira redesign and the cold weather in the state.
“Many people are complaining of lack of money, so farmers have so many eggs on ground but few buyers,” he said.
The chairman said he had spoken to some politicians to buy and distribute eggs for campaign and also spoken to some government officials to buy for public school pupils in the state.
He said the financial losses would collapse businesses if farmers are left unsupported in the glut period.
He said some farmers had dropped their prices just to attract buyers which would affect their livelihood.
He, however, called on the government to support poultry farmers in anyway possible. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Vincent Obi
Agriculture

Fishermen lament cash crunch, fuel scarcity

By Nathan Nwakamma

Artisanal fishermen operating along the Atlantic coastline in Niger Delta on Tuesday lamented the hardships they had been facing as CBN’s cashless policy had crippled their vocation.

Niger Delta Coordinator, Artisanal Fishermen Association of Nigeria (ARFAN) Rev. Samuel Ayadi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa that fuel and cash scarcity had dealt heavy blows on fishermen.

He said since CBN’s introduction of ₦20,000 maximum daily withdrawal, fishermen had found it impossible to raise cash to fuel their outboard engines for fishing expeditions.

He said that members of the association had suspended fishing because of exorbitant cost of fuel and scarcity of cash.

“Our fishermen in the rural areas cannot survive the exorbitant cost of fuel which is currently above ₦500 per litre and the second obstacle is the ₦20,000 withdrawal limit.

“Our fishing depends heavily on petrol-fuelled outboard engines which require at least 200 litters on a fishing trip and that amounts to N100,000 for just one boat.

“Raising such cash from few Point of Sale terminal operators has been a challenge.

“There are no banks here in the creeks. Rural coastline fishing camps and our business activities are dominated by cash.

“For two weeks now, we have pulled out of the waters and do not know what to do,’’ Ayadi lamented.

He explained that besides the cash scarcity, sourcing petrol at about N500 per litre and passing the cost to the consumer would make fish unaffordable.

Ayadi appealed to the Federal Government to ensure that the floating mega fuel stations that served coastal settlements were restored to save the rural fishing economy from imminent collapse.

He stressed that fuel and cash scarcities were adversely affecting fish supply.

Ayadi said that as patriotic Nigerians, members of the association would remain committed to providing fish which remains the cheapest source of protein. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Nick Nicholas/Alli Hakeem

Agriculture

Cowpea: Foundation advises farmers on new planting window

By Bukola Adewumi

The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) has advised farmers on newly identified suitable planting windows for cowpea for the different ecologies in the country.

Mr Alex Abutu, Communicaton Officer, AATF, made this known on Sunday in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Dr Jean Baptist, AATF Regional Representative for West Africa said during a visit to Pandagric Farms in Nasarawa, that the windows would enable farmers cope with the vulnerabilities of climate change.

He said the Cowpea Field in Panda was part of the dry season cowpea production being introduced by AATF to ensure the variety produces at its maximum in the absence of insect pressure and other climate vulnerabilities.

Baptist said the impact of climate change results in either too much or too little rainfall.

According to him, this makes it difficult for beans to produce at its  maximum potential thereby leaving Nigerian farmers miserable during harvest.

“After a careful study of the situation, we have come to the understanding that because farmers are not guided on when to plant, the crop productivity is often interrupted by climate uncertainties.

“The rainfall pattern for the country is not uniformed and each year comes with its own surprises; so, it is important for farmers to be accurately guided,” he said.

He noted that in the last few years, farmers have been suffering from several uncertainty associated with the rainfall pattern which has greatly reduced cowpea productivity.

He said that when the rain is too much, cowpea farms were submerged as a result of flash flood.

“Also, when the rains end suddenly, drought sets in at a time that the crop needed enough water,” he said.

He advised cowpea farmers to take advantages of identified planting windows which was carefully arrived at after studying the weather pattern in the last few years.

He said that farmers in the Sahel region comprising Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina and Sokoto states should endeavor to plant from the 3rd and 4th week of June.

“While those in the Sudan Savannah region Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Yoba and Borno states should plant from the 1st to 2nd week of July, ” Baptist advised.

He equally urged those in the Northern Guinea Savannah states such as Bauchi, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano and Zamfara to commence planting from the 3rd week of July to 1st week of August.

Those in Southern Guinea Savannah in Niger, Kwara, Abuja, Adamawa, Taraba and Gombe have the 1st to 3rd week of August to plant.

He said: “After two years in the hands of farmers, some farmers have taken advantages of the prolific nature of the Pod Borer Resistant Cowpea to undertake two planting season.”

According to statistics from the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, the PBR Cowpea is the most sought after cowpea variety in the country currently.

The variety is most preferred by farmers due to its early maturing quality, use of less chemical spray, high yielding, and high folder production. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Maureen Atuonwu

Agriculture

Foundation, others recommend policy on rice standard

By Felicia Imohimi

Syngenta Foundation For Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA), an NGO, and other stakeholders have recommended key policy on rice standards to optimise production.

The key policy will also make the product and its value chain competitive and acceptable at global markets.

Mr Isaiah Gabriel, Country Programme Manager of SFSA, said the policies should encapsulate investment in research and development for developing drought and flood resistance seeds, specific grading standards to improve quality and price structure of rice.

Gabriel said this at the Rice Value Chain Validation workshop, on Thursday in Abuja, aimed at unveiling survey reports conducted in different parts of the country on rice value chain to stakeholders.

The workshop is tagged ”Strengthening Nigeria Rice Value Chain”.

Gabriel said that raising the country’s rice industry was about addressing inefficiencies in the entire supply chain.

He said aside pre-harvest losses due to various factors ranging from rodents, pests, weather post-harvest losses vary widely from farm to farm, with losses ranging from eight per cent to 55 per cent.

“These losses result in significant industry wastage of produced rice never reaching consumers because of poor post-harvest management practices.

“Major post-harvest loss of grain occurs across the value chain and farmers especially in storage, processing and transportation.

“These weak links in the supply chain must be addressed to sustain investment efforts in the country’s rice value chain, “he said.

Gabriel said in view of the importance of rice as staple food in the country, boosting its production had been accorded priority by the government through efforts by the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) and CBN.

According to him, the efforts had improved management practices, increased usage of hybrid rice varieties and expanded production area.

The development sector, according to him, had also played a key role in strengthening farmer organisations and boosting production volume among rice farmers.

The programme manager, however, said that while rice cultivation had increased, yields have remained relatively constant at 2.5 metric ton per hectare.

Gabriel identified the yield as half of the average achieved in Asia.

According to him, there remains potential to raise the productivity and quality of the nation’s rice industry to a global standard.

He said the goal of the study conducted by the organisation and DERFTDAN Resources, an NGO, was to provide an overview of rice production, post-harvest processing and marketing segments.

Gabriel said: “It is also to identify challenges, gaps and explore strategies for translating China’s successful value chain practices into approaches that can be adopted in the country to boost its rice production and processing.

“The goal is to identify the funding gaps and establish priorities, targets and timelines for mobilising resources from domestic and international investors and donors in support of a strengthened rice value chain in Nigeria.”

He said the study conducted by SFSA in collaboration with DERFTDAN was supported by 2,249 farmers surveys across eight states of Cross Rivers, Edo, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa and Niger.

Mr Richard Ogundele, Senior Agribusiness Consultant, DERFTDAN Resources, identified some of the gaps in rice production as lack of access to quality seed, mechanisation, irrigation, input among others.

According to him, opportunities to improve rice production in Nigeria cut across access to quality seed, fertilisers, mechanisation, irrigation and extension delivery services.

Ogundele said: “If we cannot get these right, we will not be able to get there.”

He further said the nation needed to be focused and firm in its policy on rice, identifying market oriented and import dependent policy as the surest way to meet global demand.

“Once we get the rice standard right, every other thing will be in order.

“Another thing is private sector investment in irrigation, seed and mechanisation, even if you want to farm five hectares of rice commercially.

”If you do not mechanise, adopt irrigation and quality seed, you are a failure.

In terms of seed production, 57 per cent of farmers get their seed from their old cultivation.

“So, if you do not get improved seed you cannot get higher yield even if you get the best agronomy practices, Ogundele added,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Bashir Rabe Mani

Agriculture

Delta deepens move to end famers/herders clashes in Uwheru community, others Community

Delta Commissioner for Agriculture ans Natural Resources and Chairman, Delta State Livestock Management Committee (DSLMC), Dr Godfrey Enita, briefing newsmen on plans to end Farmers /Herders clashes in Uwheru Community, others on Wednesday in Asaba
 Delta Government said on Wednesday that it has strengthened plans to end the lingering clashes between farmers and herders in Uwheru community, Ughelli North Local Government Area (LGA), and other parts of the state.
The Chairman, Delta State Livestock Management Committee (DSLMC), Dr Godfrey Enita, stated this after the committee’s meeting with the stakeholders and representatives of Uwheru community in Asaba.
Enita, who doubles as the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the meeting was fruitful and has given insight on the main causes of the clashes, disclosing that about 40 flash points have been identified in 12 LGAs in the state.
He noted that the main culprits in the clash were normally migrant herders from the eastern part of the country,  who invade Delta communities at certain seasons of the year.
According to Enita, the meeting was convened to look into the root causes of the farmers/herders clashes in Uwheru community, it’s environs and other LGAs.
“We are trying to prevent what happened in Patani LGA from happening at Uwheru. This is because we have observed that these herders who unleash mayhem come from the eastern flank of the country.
“They are not the traditional herders that we have in the state that we know and can easily identify.
“We are told that it was these ones who migrated from the east that caused the kind of havoc that happened at Patani LGA in the state, where a family lost a father and his child. This we want to stop from repeating at Uwheru.”
The commissioner noted that Uwheru community has raised alarm over attacks by certain herders who had  prevented them from accessing their farms in the area.
“They said that the herders have taken over part of their community and made it difficult for them to go to their farms.
“We have the representative of the Fulani’s in the state, and the other stakeholders to see how we can identify those particular herders that invade the state and prevent farmers from accessing their farms,” he said.
According to Enita, the action taken was aimed at preventing the Uwheru community from taking laws into their hands to start confrontation which could lead to escalated crisis.
He said that the committee also learnt that certain persons in the community collaborate with the migrant herders by allocating lands arbitrarily to them.
“So, we have assured the community that we are coming to hold a town hall meeting  with them and all stakeholders to identify lasting solutions that would enthrone enduring peace in Uwheru and other areas across the state.
He noted that the state committee’s intervention has become necessary to ensure that nobody takes law into his hands to attack either the farmers or the traditional herders in the state.
The commissioner said that the information at the disposal of the government would help them track those migrant herders who had to swim across the Rivers into the state to cause trouble in the communities.
He said that the committee had created other operational committees to enable it achieve its objectives of securing and ensuring peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders in the state.
“We have identified about 40 flash points in 12 LGAs and critical areas in the state which we shall be deploying our trained officials to manage,” Enita said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chairman, Oshimili North Council, Innocent Esewezie, represented the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), while Alhaji Muktar Usman and Alhaji Maikude Nineve, represented the Fulani and herders.
Mr Jonathan Afiavwure, Mrs Christina Etagbedavwure  and Mr Chief Ogarivi Ocho represented the Uwheru community. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
IO/VAO
Edited by Vincent Obi
Agriculture

FMAN wheat dev’t programme excites Bauchi farmers

By Ahmed Kaigama/Rabiu Sani-Ali

Some farmers in Bauchi State have commended the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN) over its wheat development programme aimed at accelerating production in the country.

FMAN is consortium of flour millers working to encourage wheat value chain through research, extension services, enhancing farmer access to inputs and agricultural financing.

The association is supporting about 1,000 wheat farmers in seven local government areas of Bauchi State.

They include Bauchi, Jama’are, Misau, Tafawa Balewa, Dass, Shira and Katagum.

A cross section of the farmers made the commendation on Tuesday during the Wheat Farmers’ Green Field Day at Jogale plantation in Jama’are LGA.

Hajiya Rakiya Abubakar, a woman farmer, said that she cultivated one hectre of farmland with support of the association.

She said that she received fertilisers, seeds and chemicals which enabled her to increase productivity.

Also, Ahmed Haladu, said the intervention by the association encouraged many farmers to go into wheat cultivation.

He said that farmers were being exposed to new farming techniques and Good Agricultural Practices to boost their production output.

“I cultivated my farmlands using new farming techniques introduced by FMAN.

“The support enabled us to produce over 40 bags as against 15 bags per hectre.

“I am anticipating bumper harvest this season,” he said.

Another farmer, Dauda Ahmed, urged FMAN to review prices of wheat grain to enable farmers to repay their loans.

He said that low price of the produce was a major challenge militating against sustainable growth in wheat cultivation.

Corroborating Ahmed, a community leader, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo said that upward review of the prices would protect farmers from losses in view of the high cost of inputs.

Sabo also urged the association to expand the scope of its intervention to mobilise participation in the programme.

Wheat Farmers’ Green Field Day at Jogale plantation in Jama’are, BauchiEarlier, the National Programme Manager of FMAN, Dr Aliyu Sama’ila said the association planned to support 50,000 wheat growers to cultivate 4,000 hectres of farmlands in 2023 across Kaduna, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, Bauchi, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Taraba, Zamfara, and Yobe.

According to him, the aim is to provide market for farmers by expanding procurement through additional aggregation staff and warehouse capacity to off-take the grain across 13 wheat producing states.

“To sustainably expand wheat production in the country, we must increase farmer yields, to make it competitive with rice and other dry season crops.

“Our development programme for 2022-23 season included cultivation of 114 hectare demonstration farms across six northern states.

“Train farmers on Good Agronomic Practices in Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Plateau, Taraba and Yobe.

“Expansion of FMAN’s direct out-grower programme with input loans to cover 4,300 farmers, to cultivate 3,900 hectares in Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Bauchi and Zamfara.

“Expansion of seed production with six certified companies to produce sufficient seeds for 10,000 hectares next season.

“Research trials on FMAN’s 10-hectare research farm in Jigawa for testing new seed varieties and improved agronomic practices, including collaboration with Lake Chad Research Institute, CIMMYT and ICARDA,” he said.

The programme manager said the association would provide grant for National Agricultural Seeds Council to expand their capabilities to test seed quality, certify seed production and train farmers to differentiate high-quality seed.

He said the association in collaboration with an IT firm, SourceTrace, introduced a data management application for proper data collection and management of field activities.

According to him, transforming wheat production in Nigeria requires a strong vision backed by clear roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders.

He reiterated commitment to partner with organisations across the value chain to improve farmer yields through high quality seeds, expanded extension services, and improved access to irrigation based on sound data and evidence.  (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

Agriculture

AMEDI: Buhari plans massive job opportunities for youths

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari in the course of the outgone week inaugurated the Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI), Lafia, Nasarawa State, to enhance food security and create jobs for the youths across the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AMEDI is one of the Buhari administration’s legacies meant to make Nigeria a hub and supplier of agro-allied technology, equipment and machinery.

AMEDI, a multi-billion Naira product of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), is equipped with modern laboratories and machines for mechanised farming and agricultural development in the country.

The project is also aimed at making the nation self-sufficient in food production as well as creating more sustainable jobs for Nigeria’s teeming youths.

At the inauguration of AMEDI in Lafia, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of NASENI, Prof. Muhammed Haruna, said the institute would be established across the six geopolitical zones of the country in line with Buhari’s directive.

The president, who inspected façilities including equipment and laboratories at the institute, also inaugurated the Federal Secretariat, Lafia.

He named the edifice situated on 10.9 hectares of land after Justice Sidi Bage, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court and the Emir of Lafia.

The president also named the Conference Room at the Secretariat after late Maimuna Katai, another eminent citizen of the state.

He said that the recognition of the two Nasarawa State indigenes, Bage and Katai, was in appreciation of their sterling contributions to national development.

Buhari also attended the APC presidential campaign rally at Lafia Square on Saturday where he again endorsed the candidature of the Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Earlier in the week,the president had inaugurated several projects executed by the Federal and State Hovernments as well as the private sector in Kano and Jigawa States on Jan. 30 and 31.

In Jigawa, Buhari inaugurated 5,700-hectare Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme in Auyo Local Government Area of Jigawa, saying the project will significantly contribute to Nigeria’s quest for food security, job creation and economic diversification.

The president urged the host community to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the gigantic irrigation infrastructure, saying ‘‘It will be a small part in our over-all quest to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years’’.

On Feb. 1,  Buhari presided over the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) where the council approved a refund of N9.6 billion to Plateau and Borno State Governments for road projects executed by the two states on behalf of the federal government.

The council also approved about N4 billion for the execution of three projects across the nation.

The amount would cover the construction of Senate Buildings in Osun State University, Osogbo; and Federal University, Lokoja, as well as erection of radio antenna for the National Commission for Nomadic Education.

Buhari also inaugurated the Governing Council and Board of Directors of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) shortly before the commencement of the council meeting.

He charged the MOFI to grow its Assets Under Management from the current value of N18 trillion to at least N100 trillion in the next 10 years.

On Feb. 2, the president met with Dr Kunio Mikuriya, the Secretary General, World Customs Organisation (WCO).

Mikuriya was in Nigeria for a Global Conference on Fragile Borders.

At the meeting with Mikuriya, Buhari said Nigeria and her neighbours must place higher premium on the effective policing of borders to check criminal activities.

According to the president, the fragile nature of entry points into various countries enhances terrorism, economic sabotage and illicit flow of arms.

Buhari also hosted members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum on Friday in Abuja over critical national issues of election and currency swap.

The governors were in the Presidential Villa to share with the president the negative impact of the Central Bank’s policy on renewed Naira notes.

According to the governors, the currency re-design policy is undermining the painstaking efforts that have been put forth by this administration in transforming the economy.
In his remarks, Buhari urged citizens to give him seven days to resolve the cash crunch that had become a problem across the country following the CBN policy to change high value Naira notes with new ones.

He pledged to interrogate the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other government agencies involved in the printing and distribution of the new Naira notes in the country. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Agriculture

55,864 farmers benefit from APPEALS project – Co-ordinator

Participants at the event on Wednesday

 

By Bukola Adewumi

 

Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support Project (APPEALS) on Wednesday said it has supported a total of 55, 864 farmers across the country.

 

Alhaji Mohammed Jobdi, the National Project Coordinator, APPEALS disclosed this during the progress monitoring meeting of its project implementation in Abuja with the World Bank Task Team on Wednesday.

 

Jobdi also disclosed that a total of 75 aggregation and cottage processing centres were being constructed across states.

 

He said the APPEALS was constructing about 80 kilometers of farm access roads as well and energy infrastructure linked to production and processing clusters.

 

According to Jobdi, the projects are visible when one interacts with the beneficiaries during visits to the participating states.

 

“The participating states have continued to make progress in the implementation of activities under the various components of the project,” he said.

 

Jobdi said the total number of Value Chain Investment Plans (VCIPs) being implemented across the states stood at 2,892.

 

He said that the projects had continued to contribute to the national food basket across the different value chains in the year under review.

 

This according to Jobdi, had come with significant increase in the output of the commodities when compared with the last mission’s figures.

 

“For instance, cocoa output increased by 129.01 per cent, while poultry egg, cassava, rice and poultry meat increased by 48.3 per cent, 24.7 per cent, 23.8 per cent, and 7.6 per cent respectively,” he said.

 

Jobdi said the number of farmers adopting improved technologies stood at 33,857 with females constituting about 36.0 per cent.

 

According to him, the project is linking farmers to markets through the facilitation of commercial partnerships resulting in a total of 303 business alliances.

 

Jobdi said this was with 145 off-takers already buying the farmers’ produce across the 11 value chains, with a transaction value worth N23.439 billion. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Deborah Coker/Razak Owolabi

Agriculture

1,700 farmers benefit from World Bank’s N3.4bn grants in Enugu

Some of the beneficiaries of the N3.4 billion grants World Bank’s Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support project in Enugu

By Alex Enebeli

Some 1,700 farmers in Enugu have benefitted from N3.4 billion grants from the World Bank’s Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) project in the state.

This was made known on Tuesday during the flag off of the implementation of “Women and Youths Empowerment Programme (WYEP)” by Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in Enugu.

The News Agency Nigeria (NAN) reports that APPEALS project is solely funded by the World Bank to improve livelihood of women and youths and it is supported by the Enugu State Government.

Each of the 1,700 beneficiaries were be given grant inputs of N2m totalling N3.4bn.

Gov. Ugwuanyi, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, said the simple aim was to enhance the agricultural productivity of small- and medium-scale farmers and improve value chain.

He added that Enugu State is among the six states of Cross River, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi and Lagos benefitting from the project in the country, and the only one from the south east geopolitical zone.

Ugwuanyi said the project is among the World Bank programmes to enhance the productivity of small- and medium-scale farmers along the priority agricultural value chains of poultry, rice, cashew, fish farming and cassava.

“Its implementation began in November 2019 with the plans to support the National sub national policy on food security, local materials production, export promotion, job creation, and diversification of the economy.

“This is with the three thematic areas of productivity enhancement, growing private investment, and institutional realignment,” Ugwuanyi said.

The governor further said the project is directly contributing to the state government’s four-point agenda on food security, rural development, job creation and good governance.

“I’m glad to report that over 6,850 of our farmers have so far received grants and improved support, while more than 40,000 farmers have been fully sensitized across the various local government areas of the state on modern agricultural and agro-allied processing technology.

In her welcome address, the Acting Project Coordinator of APPEALS, Enugu, Mrs Ihuoma Eze, noted that the programme began in August 2019 with the call for Expression of Interest as advertised on the National Dailies for eligible residents of Enugu State.

The exercise, she said, was floated both offline and online and had a total submission of 29,707 valid applications recorded.

“This process was then followed by a rigorous, competitive and transparent selection process which trimmed down the total submissions to the Project targeted number of 1,700 Women, Youth and Persons with Disability resident across the 17 Local Government Areas of the State.

“Out of 1,700 selected number of beneficiaries, 55.8% are Women and girls while 5% are Persons with Disability and Special Needs,” she said.

The coordinator added that the beneficiaries were subjected to intensive trainings on their chosen value chains of Poultry, Rice, Cashew and Cassava and along the segments of Production. Processing and Marketing.

‘It is interesting to note that an individual enterprise assessed an approximate of amount of N2 million each while group enterprises comprising of 2- 5 individuals per group assessed between N4 to 10 million.

Also speaking, Task Team Leader, World Bank, Dr Manievel Sene, said the APPEALS project addresses three key objectives that enhance peoples lives.

“One is to improve the productivity of our priority value chain as state has many value chains that they have selected.

“We also make sure we eliminate post harvest losses as the project is about supporting and processing,” he said.

Sene, represented by the Co-Task Team Leader and Senior Agricultural Specialist, Dr Chidozie Anyiro, said they used different model as beneficiaries were trained before given the grants.

Advising the beneficiaries earlier, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Matthew Iduh, said they should take the empowerment scheme seriously by multiplying what was given to them. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Vincent Obi

Agriculture

Buhari inaugurates 5,700-hectare irrigation scheme in Jigawa

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari says the inaugurated 5,700-hectare Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme in Auyo Local Government Area of Jigawa, will significantly contribute to Nigeria’s quest for food security, job creation and economic diversification.

Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman, said Buhari spoke at a state banquet after the inauguration of several projects executed by the Federal Government, the Jigawa State Government and the Malam Alu Farm Project, on Tuesday in Jigawa.

Malam Alu Farm is a private enterprise, championed by Farouk Aliyu, a former member of the House of Representatives, from Jigawa.

The president urged the host community to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the gigantic irrigation infrastructure, saying ‘‘It will be a small part in our over-all quest to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.’’

He also charged the Jigawa State Government to sustain its commitment to the agricultural sector, acknowledging the success of the Cluster System introduced by the present administration of Gov. Badaru Abubakar under the slogan of “Farming is a Business”.

During his one-day official visit to Jigawa, the president visited four local government areas to inaugurate projects.

Apart from the Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme at Auyo, the other projects are the Birnin Kudu Specialist Hospital, Malam Alu Integrated Agro-Allied Farm, Birnin Kudu, and the dualized Unity-Pentagon-Fanisau Road.

At the farm, the president unveiled a 50.3-metres flag pole, described as the tallest in the country by Aliyu.

The president also had an aerial view of some of the road infrastructures, bridges and places affected by the flood disaster in Sept. 2022, which affected many parts of Jigawa.

He used the occasion to express sympathies for the flood victims, promising more relief materials to them.

‘‘While I was previously briefed on the scale of the devastation with regards to loss of lives, destruction of farm lands and public infrastructure, today I am able to personally see the extent of damage.

‘‘Flying from Auyo through Kafin Hausa and some parts of Miga, Jahun, Kiyawa, Dutse and Birnin Kudu Local Governments, I was able to have an aerial view of some of the affected roads, infrastructure and bridges.

‘‘The Federal Government has provided relief materials largely in form of foodstuffs through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs during the period of the flood.

”However, I want to assure the Government and People of Jigawa State that more relief would be provided through the National Committee that was set up by the Federal Government,’’ he said.

Buhari commended the governor for his resounding achievements in the State, noting that he didn’t expect anything less from the man nicknamed “Mai Calculator”.

He said: ‘‘I have seen the State Publication of a compendium titled “Against All Odds” which documented the progress and achievements recorded by the Governor over the first six years of his administration.

‘‘I was truly amazed by the extent of projects and programmes executed across all sectors.

‘‘I was amazed because of the limited fiscal space that we have faced over the years across all the tiers of Government – but then I recall the financial prudence Gov. Badaru has been known for which earned him the nick-name “Mai Calculator.”

The president also felicitated the citizens of the State for unprecedented developments they had witnessed over the years.

He noted that the projects inaugurated during his state visit were ‘‘only the tip of the iceberg”, adding that only one out of about 18 new general hospitals was inaugurated.

Buhari expressed delight that each of the 30 constituencies in the State would soon boast of a full-fledged secondary health facility.

He urged the State government to sustain the reputation of the State with one of the highest road networks in the country.

On the Mallam Alu Farms in Birnin Kudu, the president described it as another commendable project which perfectly aligns with the administration’s agricultural transformation agenda.

He commended Farouk Aliyu for championing this wonderful project, saying: ‘‘I believe it will also significantly contribute to our objectives of economic diversification, food security and job creation.

‘‘We hope to see more such private-sector led large agricultural projects, especially with the enabling environment provided by both the State and the Federal Government,’’ he said.

On the 2023 General Elections, the president restated his call on Nigerians to remain peaceful.

‘‘Despite some of the challenges that continued to test the process of our democracy, I strongly believe, we have witnessed in the last seven years, entrenchment of the true principles and ideals of democratic governance in the Nigerian Polity.

”This has been one of the hallmarks of this administration.

‘‘I must emphasize that tolerance and understanding are vital to the conduct of free elections,’’ he added.

Earlier, at the palace of Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Adamu Maje, Buhari promised to look into the requests of the State Government on the availability of fertilizers and other farm inputs to boost local agricultural production.

The president said Nigeria and Morocco had an existing agreement on fertilizer production, which would complement the existing 44 blending plants in the country.

Gov. Badaru had told the President that the State would remain grateful to the Federal Government for several completed and ongoing projects in the transport, education, health, social investments, agriculture and security sectors.

‘‘Since your administration, we have never seen it better in the life of Jigawa State,’’ he said during the banquet in honour of the President.

‘‘We cannot thank you enough for food security, especially the Anchor Borrowers Programme. Today we see farming in Jigawa as a business and some farmers in the State are among the richest in Nigeria,’’ he said.

Badaru also lauded the president for his intervention to the States of the Federation for the payment of salaries, provision of infrastructure and during the COVID-19 pandemic, running into trillions of naira.

He said from the Paris Club Refund to States alone, Jigawa State received a total of N43 billion.

‘‘With your intervention, we were able to do all the projects we promised the people.

”All these monies kept us in government and I can beat my chest and say that I have adequately delivered and done well for the people.

‘‘Whatever we do in Jigawa State, we owe it to your magnanimity and your support and this support is across all the States and party lines,’’ he said.

On the Irrigation Scheme, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleman Adamu, explained that the intervention, is expected to boost food production and cover the rehabilitation of Hadejia Barrage.

He added that the intervention also covered rehabilitation and expansion of Irrigation and Drainage systems covering a net area of 5,780 hectares; and rehabilitation and concrete lining of 2.86km of the main Feeder Canal.

He recalled that President Buhari flagged off the commencement of works at Hadejia in 2018, under the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) Project by the Ministry with the support of the World Bank.

‘‘This is an endeavour that first received Federal Government attention way back during the Shehu Shagari administration, but with no appreciable progress through successive administrations, until now.

‘‘For sure, today’s event is a clear demonstration of Federal Ministry of Water Resource’s commitment towards the implementation of Mr President’s Agenda to transform Nigeria into a strong and virile economy by lending support to his efforts in effectively harnessing the nation’s abundant natural, human, and especially water resources,’’ he said.

The Minister listed the main beneficiaries of the full components of the TRIMING Project as basin stakeholders, irrigation and drainage entities, water user associations, farmers, and villagers in the Project areas.

According to him, the following River Basins (RB) in the country are covered by the current phase of the Project: ‘‘Sokoto-Rima RB, involving Bakolori and Middle Rima Valley Irrigation Schemes, and the rehabilitation of Goronyo and Zobe Dams.’’

Others are Hadejia Jama’are RB, involving Kano River and Hadejia Valley Irrigation Schemes; the rehabilitation of Tiga and Challawa Gorge Dams, Hadejia Barrage and Ruwan Kanya Reservoir.

The Upper Benue River Basin Development, involving Dadin Kowa and Guyuk Irrigation Schemes, as well as the rehabilitation of Dadin Kowa Dam are also beneficiaries of the current phase of the project. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

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