By Hajara Leman

The Gombe State Government has introduced the distribution of “Garin Inuwa”, a locally produced complementary food supplement aimed at nourishing thousands of undernourished children across the state.

The Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr Manassah Jatau, while flagging off the initiative on Saturday in Gombe, expressed optimism that it would go a long way in reducing the number of malnourished children in the state.

“The birth of Garin Inuwa is both a response and a resolve.

“It is a product developed from locally sourced ingredients and certified by NAFDAC, representing a significant milestone in our Human Capital Development agenda.

“This programme is not only a testament to the vision of His Excellency, Gov. Inuwa Yahaya, but also proof that sustainable, homegrown solutions can address our most pressing health challenges,” he said.

He highlighted the alarming statistics confronting the state: a stunting rate of 50.6 per cent, wasting rate of 8.8 per cent, and no fewer than 94,000 children classified as severely malnourished.

He explained that the initiative was a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Education; Science, Technology and Innovation, and Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRIN).

“Over 1,000 students from selected schools were trained in preparing nutritious food, while trained women were empowered to produce and distribute the supplements—laying the groundwork for entrepreneurial opportunities and broader community impact.

“No solid building stands on a weak foundation; good nutrition is that foundation and today, we’ve begun to rebuild it, one child at a time,” he said.

In her remarks, Prof. Aishatu Maigari, Commissioner for Education, stated that the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation was responsible for producing the complementary foods, while the Ministry of Education trained women and students on how to prepare them.

According to her, 200 women and 300 secondary school students have so far been trained in the production of the foods to prevent malnutrition, enabling them to collectively contribute to ending child malnutrition in the state,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Felicia Imohimi

The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and German Development Cooperation (GIZ) have reaffirmed their commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agriculture through gender-inclusive and climate-smart financing models.

The two organisations made the commitment at the Validation Workshop on Climate-Smart and Gender-Inclusive Financing in Abuja.

The workshop, which featured key stakeholders, was to finalise a financing framework aimed at providing millions of women and youths with access to agricultural support systems tailored to meet their unique needs.

Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, said that the initiative was more than just documentation but embodiment of a commitment to fostering resilience, inclusivity and prosperity within our food systems.

He stressed the importance of integrating digital tools and financial literacy to reach underserved groups.

“Inclusion demands that we think beyond traditional financial instruments.

“We must explore innovative approaches; leveraging digital platforms that can provide tailored financial products that meet the unique needs of these groups.

“Our pursuit of food security is intrinsically linked to our capacity to provide farmers with the necessary tools and resources to adapt to climate-induced challenges,” he said.

Kyari, in reference to recent flood disasters, emphasised that there was urgency of integrating risk management and anticipatory action into agricultural systems.

The Executive Secretary of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, said their mission was to unlock and deploy financing that worked for every Nigerian farmer, irrespective of where they are or barriers they face.

The workshop, according to him, builds on a previous session held in November where stakeholders helped craft the initial draft of the financing model.

“This second phase is focused on validation, product refinement and setting clear steps for implementation.

“This is more than validation, it is co-creation of a financing model that meets farmers where they are and takes them to where they deserve to be.

“I call on stakeholders to imagine new delivery models.

“Can we bundle financing, insurance, and mechanisation into one service—pay-as-you-plant? Can digital platforms deliver microloans to women via mobile wallets?.

“I call on all participants to take ownership of the process,” he said.

In her keynote address, Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, called for urgent and inclusive financial systems to empower women and build resilience against growing impacts of climate change.

“Women constitute between 70 per cent to 75 per cent of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce.

“They produce about 70 per cent to 80 per cent of the nation’s food, yet they receive only a small fraction of credit and land allocated to small-scale farmers.

“We must collectively work to dismantle the systemic barriers that have historically hindered women’s full participation and ensure a level playing field where their contributions are recognised and supported,” she said.

Dr Andrea Ruediger, GIZ representative, reaffirmed Germany’s long-standing partnership with Nigeria in agricultural transformation, identified food systems as the backbone of livelihoods, economies and environment.

“I urge stakeholders to implement the recommendations outlined in the newly validated framework.

“These include developing targeted financial products, increasing access to non-collateralised loans, enhancing institutional coordination and promoting climate-smart agriculture,” she said.

Sen. Saliu Mustapha, Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture Production and Rural Development, identified technology as key to food sustainability.

Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, called for urgent attention to Nigeria’s most vulnerable groups, particularly displaced persons, in national development policies.

“We have over five million Nigerians displaced across the country, which is more than the population of most states. Yet, they are rarely at the centre of our national discourse,” he said.

The framework, jointly developed by NADF and GIZ, seeks to shift agricultural financing from traditional credit systems to a holistic approach that includes mechanisation, extension services, digital tools, advisory support, and risk-sharing mechanisms. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

By Christian Njoku

Cross River State Government says it will distribute 1 million high-yielding Arabica and Robusta coffee species to farmers at a subsidised rate of N1, 000 per seedling.

Mr Johnson Ebokpo, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, said this while briefing journalists on Monday at the Ministry of Agriculture in Calabar.

The briefing was on the introduction of coffee as an economic plant to be cultivated in the state in addition to cocoa wheat and some other cash crops.

He said that the state had entered an agreement with a French Coffee Firm, JR Farms to develop and strengthen the coffee value chain.

Ebokpo said the initiative was to provide farmers access to high quality and high yielding seedlings and an opportunity to earn alternative income during the off-peak season.

He said it would also help the state to earn foreign exchange as well as create jobs for its teeming population.

“An allocation model based on elevation, climate, and soil quality was developed to ensure an equitable distribution of the seedlings across the 18 local government areas.

“This is because the Arabica species grow optimally in highland areas, while the Robusta species grow well in lowlands.

“Consequently, a team of 56 enumerators are currently being trained to profile prospective farmers and organise them into cooperatives,” Ebokpo said.

The commissioner said that enumeration exercise would commence from May 26 to June 9, adding that within the period, the enumerators would conduct a door-to-door profiling exercise.

He appealed to political stakeholders, religious and civil society organisations to mobilise local farmers to take advantage of the opportunity to get enumerated and purchase subsidised hybrid coffee seedlings. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Chidi Opara