Agric - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Ismail Abdulaziz
Nov, Tue, 2024

Data crucial for agric. mechanisation- Stakeholders

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By Angela Atabo

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s agricultural sector have emphasised the importance of accurate data in realising the full potential of agricultural mechanisation.

This was the central theme of a workshop on Mechanisation in Nigeria, organised by the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and Heifer International Nigeria in Abuja on Monday.

Dr Tobi Lekan, Country Director of Heifer International Nigeria, noted that data plays a critical role in optimising tractor utilisation and maintenance.

“By embracing a data-driven approach, we can maximise the impact of each tractor and ensure the success of Nigeria’s mechanisation journey,” he said.

Lekan said that the workshop aimed to discuss strategies for supporting the ownership, deployment, adoption, and use of tractors to make them sustainable.

He emphasised that increasing the penetration rate of tractors in Nigeria was crucial, as the country currently had one of the lowest rates in Africa.

Mr Mohamed Ibrahim, Executive Secretary of NADF, highlighted the government’s commitment to engaging youths as drivers of agricultural transformation.

“The first phase of the initiative aims to assemble and deploy 2,000 John Deere tractors, creating 2,000 models of mechanisation success stories.”

Mr Cornelius Adebayo, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), stated that the government was making significant efforts to promote mechanisation through its agencies.

According to Adebayo, the government is working on clusterisation to fast-track mechanisation.

“We cannot achieve our mechanisation goals without clusterisation, so we have designed national programmes to ensure their success.

“These programmes include the Renewed Hope mega farm settlement, which provides thousands of farmers with access to social amenities and enables them to produce and earn a living.

“Additionally, the government plans to resettle displaced persons and cluster them in areas where they can farm and earn a living.”

Dr Nneka Enwonwu, Hello Tractor’s Country Managing Director, emphasised the crucial role of innovative financing in effective mechanisation.

“Our organisation tackles financial and operational hurdles that limit access to mechanisation.

“We connect smallholder farmers to mechanized service providers, optimising tractor utilisation and maintenance through data-driven solutions like Pay-As-You-Go models and technology-enabled tracking,”she said.

Enwonwu stressed that achieving food security requires mechanising smallholder farmers.

“We must provide them with access to mechanised services, tractors, implements, and harvesters to boost productivity and yields.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Ismail Abdulaziz
Oct, Fri, 2024

Agriculture

Agric. fund sensitises farmers, herders on peaceful coexistence

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By Rita Iliya

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) has sensitised farmers and herders on peaceful coexistence and sustainable agricultural development.

Mrs Elizabeth Isah, Business and Marketing Development Officer, VCDP in Niger, said this at a programme in some local government areas in Niger.

The programme is for promotion and sensitisation on Conflict Resolution through Commodity Alliance Forum (CAF) in Mokwa, Edati, and Borgu Local Government Areas.

She said the initiative was taken by IFAD-VCDP to foster harmonious relationships among farmers and herders in order to enhance agricultural productivity.

“The sensitisation organised by IFAD-VCDP, aims to educate farmers, and herders on effective conflict resolution strategies through CAF,” she said.

Isah noted that development is faster through effective conflict resolution, stressing that IFAD had zero-tolerance towards conflicts because it retards long-term sustainability of its projects.

According to the resource person, Mr Julius Karma, conflicts arise from clashes between economic interests and value systems, particularly among farmers and herders competing for limited land.

“With the growing population, pressure intensifies as farmers seek to produce crops and herders seek grazing land, leading to clashes between them.

“Unresolved issues increases tensions; parties involved in conflict should always seek dialogue for amicable resolution,” he said.

He said that conflicts were inherent aspect of human interaction, but could be destructive as well as beneficial resulting to positive change and growth when resolved.

Similarly, Hajiya Maimuna Abubakar, Rural Institution Gender and Youth Mainstreaming Officer, VCDP in Niger, decried the reports of some farmers exploiting their positions to sexually harass and abuse women and children.

“Cases of men harassing women and vice versa have been received; IFAD-VCDP is against such behaviour as it is a deviation from the project’s objectives,” she said.

She disclosed that farmers would be sensitised and trained on their roles and responsibilities to combat sexual harassment to ensure a safer environment for all.

Alhaji Mohammed Aliyu, Village Head of Mokwa, represented by Alhaji Adamu Ndarafi, Magajin Rafi, commended IFAD’s agricultural development intervention, and urged farmers and herders to live in harmony for sustainable growth.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sensitisation was attended by stakeholders, village heads, local government chairmen, farmers, Miyetti Allah, divisional officers of police and NSCDC.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Ismail Abdulaziz