NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Agriculture

Farmer/herder clashes: Lawmaker seeks implementation of extant laws on ranching

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By Ikenna Osuoha

A member of House of Representatives, Nnamdi Ezechi, has advocated for strict implementation of extant laws prohibiting open grazing in the states.

Ezechi stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja while reacting to the recent killing of a member of a vigilance group in his constituency, Mr Ogonegbu Chukwunomnazu.

The lawmaker, representing Ndokwa East/Ndokwa West and Ukwuani in the lower legislative chamber, while condemning the killing, reiterated the imperatives of implementing extant laws on open grazing by states.

He urged the Inspector-General of Police to help fish out the killers of his constituents and bring them to justice.

“I call on the I-GP to rise up to the occasion by apprehending those behind the killing of the vigilante member.

“I also expect the police and other security agencies to help implement laws by various states, including Delta, that prohibit open grazing and provide for cattle ranching,” he said.

According to him, it is wrong for people to cause disadvantage to others with their own businesses.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lawmaker had earlier raised the matter through a motion of urgent national importance on the floor of the house.

NAN also reports that the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, had also called on the inspector-general of police and other security agencies to swing into action on the matter. (NAN) 

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Agriculture , Food Security

IFAD-SAPZ empowers 1,009 farmers in Kano

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By Felicia Imohimi

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme has empowered no fewer than 505 rice farmers and 504 tomato farmers in Kano.

Dr Kabir Yusuf, National Programme Coordinator of SAPZ, said this in a statement on Monday following the ongoing Field Day activity in Kano.

He stated that the activity aimed to connect smallholder farmers to viable markets and was a crucial step towards reducing post-harvest losses and increasing farmers’ incomes.

He noted that the lack of reliable buyers has long caused losses for tomato farmers, stressing that SAPZ’s core goal is to ensure market access.

“However, through a series of training sessions on Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) and the provision of a full package of inputs, SAPZ is equipping farmers with the necessary tools to improve productivity and profitability.

“As part of our commitment to agricultural development, this partnership will ensure that farmers not only produce but also have access to guaranteed markets for their produce.

“Transformative impact on farmers under the IFAD-SAPZ pilot scheme is 1,009 farmers, specifically 505 rice farmers and 504 tomato farmers, have benefited from the programme”.

Yusuf said the initiative is being piloted in Kura and Bagwai LGAs, aiming to reach 14,000 farmers across 16 LGAs in Kano.

He said the first phase of SAPZ is underway in eight states, including Kano and FCT, with more to be added in the second phase.

Mr Isah Ibrahim, a tomato farmer from Watari Cluster in Bagwai LGA and one of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude for the programme, calling it a “turning point” for tomato farmers.

“Before now, we never fully understood that farming is a business. But with the training and support from SAPZ, we now approach farming differently.

“In the past, I harvested between six and seven times per hectare, but with the improved practices introduced by SAPZ, I am now on my second harvest and anticipate up to ten additional harvests.

“Efficient use of agricultural inputs has significantly boosted my yields,” he said.

Ibrahim said SAPZ has tackled market access issues by linking tomato farmers with off-takers who buy at favourable prices.

He appreciated the programme, adding that buyers now come directly to their farms to purchase tomatoes at considerable prices.

Rice farmer Mallama Hafsat thanked SAPZ, IFAD, and the Kano government for support that led to a bumper harvest.

Speaking on the impact of the initiative, Hafsat acknowledged that, prior to SAPZ’s intervention, traditional farming methods yielded poor results.

She stated that with training on good agronomic practices and access to critical farm inputs, her farming experience had been significantly transformed.

“Before SAPZ came in, our old ways of farming did not favour us, but now, we have been trained in modern techniques, such as nursery preparation before transplanting and proper spacing of rice plants. These have greatly improved our yield.

“My personal achievement through the improved harvest is that I was able to finance my daughter’s wedding, even after the death of my husband”. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Tosin Kolade

Agriculture

Niger urges farmers to insure farms against disasters

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By Rita Iliya
Niger Government on Wednesday advised farmers to insure their farms against disasters, following recent floods that devastated farmlands in the state.

Alhaji Musa Bawa-Bosso, Commissioner for Agriculture in Niger, gave the advise during an on-the-spot assessment of farms affected by flood in Mokwa Local Government Area of the state.

Bawa-Bosso represented by Dr Mathew Ahmed, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, said insuring farms against disasters would provide farmers with financial protection and support during times of crisis.

“Disasters such as floods, droughts, and pests can have devastating effects on farms, leading to significant losses for farmers just like it has happened.

“By insuring their farms, farmers can receive financial compensation for their losses, which would help them to recover quickly and continue farming,” he said.

He attributed the flood to excess water from Kainji and Jebba dams, associated with climate change.

He assured the farmers that the flood would recede within five days and that extension agents would collect data on affected farmers for possible government intervention.

Bawa-Bosso disclosed that the state government plans to link affected farmers with the Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) for further intervention.

Also speaking, Alhaji Mohammed Baba,  Managing Director of Niger State Agricultural Mechanisation Development Authority (NAMDA), advised farmers in the state to key into the Niger Foods Project.

Baba explained that the project allows farmers to access inputs on credit and repay at harvest, thereby boosting their production.

Earlier, Alhaji Mahmudu Usman, ‘Etsu yankpa’ of Kusogi village, disclosed that the flood had destroyed about 300,000 hectares of rice farms worth billions of Naira.

Usman stated that the disaster had affected indigenous and non-indigenous farmers in more than 25 villages under Kede Community in Mokwa Local Government Area.

He appealed to the state government to come to the aid of the farmers, as their livelihood depends on the farms.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that floodwaters, allegedly from Kainji and Jebba dams, have inundated numerous farmlands in at least ten communities, causing widespread destruction.(NAN)
Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi/ Isaac Ukpoju

Agriculture , Food Security

IFAD-VCDP made us landlords, millionaires— Niger beneficiaries

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By Felicia Imohimi

Some beneficiaries of the Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development-Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP) in Niger say they have become millionaires and landlords through the scheme.

The farmers in Ezhigi community, Edati Local Government Area, spoke on the sidelines of media tour of FG/IFAD-VCDP project in some communities in Niger.

They said their income, livelihood and children’s educational standard had improved through the intervention of the dry season farming programme.

Mr Jubril Haruna, rice farmer and processor, said that prior to the intervention of IFAD-VCDP in 2020, he relied on his father for survival- both feeding and accommodation.

He said they were trained on good agronomical practices, how to prepare nursery bed, transplanting and proper application of fertiliser.

Haruna said they were provided with tiller machines, subsidised fertilisers, solar powered irrigation pumping machines, among others.

He said that initially, they only farmed during rainy season which was one season annually and in small scale which was unsustainable.

Haruna said at the moment, they could farm all year round in large scale, had enhanced income and build brick houses instead of mud.

He said that at the moment, he was able to build a standard house with bricks, set up a processing facility, raised his children’s educational standard and became a millionaire through the intervention.

“IFAD-VCDP provided us with solar panel water pump as against fuel pumping machine we were using initially.

“I bought additional three panels to enhance my irrigation farming which is the sustainable means of agriculture.

“The programme also provided us with improved seedlings Faro 44 which is more profitable than the former ones we were cultivating traditionally.

“Through this improved seedlings, we do realise 80 bags to 100 bags of 100kg per hectares as against 30 bags to 40 bags we used to realise prior to the intervention,” he said.

Another beneficiary, Mohammed Usman, listed some interventions received as training on how to prepare nursery bed, transplanting and provision of tiller machines for soil excavation before transplanting.

He said they were provided with fertilisers, solar powered pumping machines, among others.

Usman, who was living in his father’s house prior to the intervention, said he had become a landlord.

He described their traditional method of farming as cumbersome, strenuous and less productive.

“With VCDP we are moving forward; we now know more about dry season farming and its enormous benefits.

“IFAD-VCDP gave us solar powered water pumping machines which put an end to huge expenses on diesel and fuel to pump water.

“They trained us on good agronomical practices and gaps training on rainy and season farming,” he said.

Usman, who lauded IFAD-VCDP for its transformative intervention to the entire community, said it had improved their lives economically, morally and otherwise.

He said that before the intervention, most houses in the community were built with mud due to scarce resources.

“IFAD-VCDP has transformed lives economically, social and otherwise to the extent that almost everyone now own modern houses built with bricks.

“We have benefited a lot and our children know attend standard schools.

“I can comfortably do any business irrespective of cost; I can farm three to four hectares across seasons through their support,’’ he said.

Mrs Hadiza Isah, State Programme Coordinator, IFAD-VCDP, Niger, said the visit was to document the success story of farmers that VCDP had supported since its inception in 2020.

Isah said before the intervention, the farmers cultivated between half hectare to two hectares per person.

She said that through the support, they expanded their farms to three to four hectares per farmer.

According to her, farmers in the community can now boast of 6.5 metric tonnes to seven tonnes per hectare.

“When we notice the volume of rice produced in the community and the challenges of processing, we provided them with processing unit or facility.

“The objective of VCDP is to sustainably enhance rural incomes and food security.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Agriculture

FG supports 2,000 wheat farmers in Niger

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By Rita Iliya

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, on Thursday distributed inputs to 2000 farmers for dry season wheat farming in Niger.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the scheme is under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP).

 

Mr Ishaku Buba, National Project Officer of NAGS-AP, disclosed this during the distribution for the 2024/2025 in Garafini and Swashi communities in Borgu.

 

NAN reports that the scheme had taken off on 2,000 hectares of land in the two communities using mechanised farming methods.

Buba, who was represented by Musaku Emmanuel, said the initiative was a collaborative effort aimed at making Nigeria self-sufficient in wheat production.

 

“This initiative is expected to improve the living conditions of the community and address the shortfall of wheat production in the country.

 

“SMK Nigeria Limited provides the farmers with NPK and Urea fertilisers as well as certified and improved seeds of wheat,” he said.

 

Buba noted that the initiative was part of the Federal Government’s effort to boost wheat production in the country.

 

Alhaji Adamu Jibril, District Head of Garafini, who is also a wheat farmer lauded the gesture.

 

He expressed optimism that it would improve wheat production and livelihoods in the community.

 

“This initiative is aimed at improving the livelihoods of my subjects, and creating a sustainable economy,” he said.

Also speaking, Samaila Ismail, a farmer, said: “With the modern techniques, we have moved from peasant farming to mechanised farming, using tractors and planters to enhance our productivity.

 

“In the past, we used to get half a tonne per hectare, but now we can get three tonnes per hectare, which is 30 bags of wheat,” he said.

 

Ismail added that with this scheme, wheat importation would soon be a thing of the past in Nigeria.

 

He said that the support received would encourage more farmers to embrace wheat farming. (NAN)

Edited by Abigael Joshua and Yakubu Uba

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