News Agency of Nigeria
FG/IFAD VCDP boosts rice yields, empowers farmers
Agriculture

FG/IFAD VCDP boosts rice yields, empowers farmers

By Felicia Imohimi

The Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) has increased rice yields in Nigeria from the national average of 2–2.5 tonnes per hectare to between five and six tonnes per hectare.

Mrs Dede Ekoue, IFAD Country Director, disclosed this at the 12th Joint Supervision Mission Inception Workshop of the FG/IFAD-VCDP on Tuesday in Abuja.

She said the achievement was a demonstration of the transformative potential of improved agricultural technologies and practices.

Ekoue highlighted other key accomplishments of the programme, including market linkages through the Commodity Alliance Forum (CAF), sustainable innovations, inclusive empowerment, and climate resilience initiatives.

She said the programme has generated over $40 million for more than 16,000 rice farmers through 878 formal agreements with off-takers.

According to her, these sales were facilitated through the project’s flagship Public-Private-Producer Partnership (4Ps) platform, which has strengthened farmer–market linkages and created win-win partnerships with the private sector.

“On sustainable innovations, women and youth are converting agricultural by-products into value-added products such as briquettes and animal feed, turning waste into wealth while reducing environmental degradation,” Ekoue said.

She added that through the Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme (ASAP), the project promotes climate-smart practices, digital tools for weather and market information, and investments in land development, irrigation, and erosion control.

Ekoue further said over 39,000 beneficiaries, including 12,000 youth and 22,000 women, have been trained in income-generating activities, equipping them with skills to thrive in agribusiness and entrepreneurship.

She noted that these achievements reflect the power of collaboration between federal and state governments, farmers, communities, the private sector, and IFAD.

According to her, the achievements contribute to the objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the National Agriculture Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP), as well as the Kampala CAADP Declaration adopted by African Union member states in January 2025.

Ekoue explained that the mission would follow standard supervision objectives, including reviewing the implementation of recommendations from the previous year and assessing progress in each area.

She added that the exercise would also identify best practices and challenges, while formulating recommendations to guide activities for the coming year.

She urged stakeholders to focus on solutions, ensuring that VCDP results endure, its models are scaled, and its benefits continue to reach rural communities long after the programme ends.

Mrs Adebola Iluromi, Director of the Federal Department of Development Partners Projects (FD-DPP), Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said VCDP continues to stand out as one of the Federal Government and IFAD’s flagship agricultural initiatives.

She said the programme is aimed at improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and enhancing food security nationwide.

Iluromi added that the project, implemented in nine states, focuses on rice and cassava value chains, targeting production, processing, and marketing segments.

“These two crops remain essential to our national Food Security Agenda, and we are proud that through VCDP, many Nigerian households now have improved access to these staple foods,” she said.

She assured that the ministry remains committed to sustaining and consolidating the project’s achievements across all states.

“As the implementing agency, we will continue to work closely with the National Programme Management Unit (NPMU) to ensure that VCDP gains are maintained.

“We will also ensure its successes contribute to our broader national goals of food security, economic diversification, and rural transformation.

“We are confident that with continued partnership and support from IFAD, we can scale up these impacts to reach more communities and households nationwide within the period of the programme,” she said.

Dr Fatima Aliyu, National Programme Coordinator of VCDP, said the programme has successfully achieved its development goals, enhancing food security and increasing the incomes of smallholder farmers on a sustainable scale. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

Tela maize growers anticipate bumper harvest
Agriculture

Tela maize growers anticipate bumper harvest

By Mustapha Yauri

Some maize farmers in northern part of Kaduna State are expecting bumper harvest this farming season, following the introduction TELA maize variety.

TELA maize is a new variety of seed noted for its high yields, drought and insect resistance.

The farmers, who spoke in Makarfi, Sabon Gari,and Soba Local Government Areas of the state, said the hybrid seed outperformed other local varieties in growth, pest resistance and overall productivity.

Malam Tajudeen Gambo, a farmer at Marke village in Makarfi, said he planted TELA variety seed on a 0.3-hectare plot, and observed a remarkable yields compared to the maize seed he had been cultivating in the last 15 years.

“I anticipate about 50 to 75 per cent increase in yields compared to the previous seasons.

“The crop resisted insects and performed excellently well. With this result, I’ll abandon other varieties and expand my farm with TELA maize next season,” he said.

He urged government at all levels to enhance farmer access to the new seed to encourage productivity, reduce poverty and strengthen food security.

Shu’aibu Mustapha, a maize grower at Maraban Gwanda community in Sabon Gari, said he cultivated TELA maize on a quarter-hectare plot, following agronomic guidelines and extension agents’ advice.

“The variety grew faster, no pest attack and the stem not too tall to be affected by wind.

“Because of this, many neighbouring farmers have shown interest in planting it next season,” he said.

However, Adamu Haruna, another farmer at Bagaldi community in Soba, said he faced early challenges due to prolonged dry spell after planting, which affected the seed germination.

“Despite the drought, the TELA seed still germinated better than other varieties would have, nearby farms nearby that planted other variety seeds faced attack by armyworm, but my TELA maize field was not affected,” he said.

Haruna said the new maize variety produced larger cobs than usual and attracted interest from other farmers in his area.

“Previously; I harvested about 10 bags from this same field, but this season I expect 15 to 17 bags,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Augusta Uchediunor and Muhammad Lawal

Stakeholders urge LASG to build warehouses, hubs for preserving produce
Agriculture

Stakeholders urge LASG to build warehouses, hubs for preserving produce

By Reporters

Some stakeholders in farm produce in Lagos State  on Tuesday,  urged the government  to build warehouses and hubs  to preserve  their produce  and reduce wastage.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in interviews in Lagos that lack of preservation of farm produce has resulted in huge wastes and  losses.
NAN recalls that the United Nations General Assembly in 2018,  designated Sept. 29 as International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste, to promote solutions aimed at ending the challenge.
The day also sought to mobilise global efforts toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal target 12.3, which aimed to halve per capital global food waste and reduce food losses along production and supply chains by 2030.
Mr Hafiz Tiamiyu, the Chairman, Tomato Dadi Louis Community, Iworo, Badagry, said provision of tomato hub and seedlings would help to stop  wastes and losses.
Tiamiyu said the community lost over N20 million to  farm produce waste in 2023,  due to lack of preservation.
He said the seedlings hub would give the farmers opportunity to get tomato seedlings for planting instead of going to the state capital and other areas to look for it.
Mr Sunday Ajilo, a Fish Market Leader in Epe,  said  the menace of post-harvest losses, especially in fisheries, had continued to affect the income of traders and fishermen in the community.
Mrs Iyabo Adegoke, the Iyaloja of Aiyetoro Market, Epe, stressed the need for more storage  facilities, adding that poor storage remained one of the major causes of wastage of perishable goods.
Mr Tunde Hunpatin, the Coordinator, Agbalata Coconut Market, Badagry,  urged the government to construct preservation machines and warehouses  for Coconut in the market.
Agbalata coconut Market in Badagry
According to him, this will help to bring out the sweetness in the coconut and reduce waste of the product.
“They use the machine to preserve coconut in Ghana and this is why the coconut is sweeter  than ours in Badagry,” he said.
Mr Akinloye Oladejo, the Baba Oja of Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA), said the annual wastage affected  their profits in the market.
Oladejo urged the government to provide facilities to enhance the food live span to avoid perishing within short periods of time.
Truck loaded with coconut in Badagry market.

Mr Muideen Azeez, the Welfare Officer, Idi Oro Alamutu Market in Mushin said that unstable electricity supply remained  one of the major factors affecting the preservation of food and farm produce.

Azeez said the new modern market was still under construction in Idi- Oro Market with facilities to ensure adequate food and fruit preservations.
The market leader also appealed to the government to establish a  multi-functional cold  room which would accommodate various types of foods and fruits for effective preservation.
“Inconsistent power supply has multiple negative effects on  some of the perishable foods and fruits in the market.
“We also beg the state government to expedite construction of the ultramodern market in Mushin,  which would accommodate facilities for food preservations.
Coconut Market in Badagry
“The cost of transportation is on the high side and seeing the food perishing within days is not encouraging.
“Two out of 12 dozens of plantain bunch perish due to lack of preservation  facilities,” he said.
Azeez urged the government to assist the traders to establish facilities to reduce  wastage of produce  in the market.
A nutritionist, Mrs Tinuola Bakare, advised consumers to cultivate responsible eating habits, stressing that buying food in excess often led to waste.
She noted that ending food loss and waste would not only strengthen food security but also enhance the livelihood of farmers and traders across the country.
Alhaji Abdul Mohammed, General Secretary, Mile 12, Market, Lagos, said that the lack of storage facilities  and preservation  remained  the major cause of food wastes in market
“Presently, the price of food in the market is high due to the rainy season.
“We lack the facility to store and preserve our farm produce.”
He added that farmers still used the old methods of storage and preservation, which did  not last long.
He noted that It was time they began to employ modern ways of preserving foods, which are beyond what farmers could do on their own.
NAN check reveals that a  few metres from the building serving as secretariat of the traders’ union in the Mile 12 market,  is a truck loaded with onions.
Passersby could barely walk past without holding their breath, due to the stench of decaying onions.
“That truck was  seen  queuing to be offloaded and half of the onions were already spoilt.”
According to Mohammed,   Borno government bought the  onions from farmers through their agriculture projects .
“Imagine if this was not a government scheme, the loss would have been borne by the farmers.
Tomato market in Mile 12, Lagos.
According to him, agriculture business is rewarding but greatly unpredictable.
“One of the factors causing food wastage is weather. Whether it is potato, tomato, or onion, fruits cannot be preserved for long. Secondly, transport problem adds to about 30 per cent of food spoilage.
“In the past, tomatoes were not transported in trucks; they were transported in trains and coaches. With modern trains, you can spend not more than five hours from Kano to Lagos but spending a whole day on the road is not the best way to transport perishable goods.
“The problem of transportation is compounded by bad roads. Each time trucks jump into the thousands of potholes on the roads, it causes more damage to the goods.
“Sometimes, trucks are stuck  or fell due to bad roads, wasting  thousands of tons of food.”(NAN)
Edited by Edith Bolokor/Chioma Ugboma
IWMI launches platform to boost farmer-led irrigation in Nigeria
Agriculture

IWMI launches platform to boost farmer-led irrigation in Nigeria

By Tosin Kolade

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has launched a Multi-Stakeholder Platform on Farmer-led Irrigation Development (MSD-FLID) to enhance food security and livelihoods in Nigeria.

The initiative was launched in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Bank of Agriculture, and other stakeholders.

It aims to improve coordination and accelerate the scaling up of farmer-led irrigation.

IWMI said the platform would bring together stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, set priorities, mobilise investments, and promote innovative solutions, including solar-powered irrigation.

Dr Olufunke Cofie, IWMI’s Africa Director for Research Impact, said in a statement on Saturday that FLID is critical to transforming Africa’s agri-food systems and building resilience.

She noted that Nigeria has significant potential for farmer-led irrigation, but adoption is slowed by weak coordination, policy gaps, and limited access to finance.

Mrs Esther Oluniyi, Director of Irrigation and Drainage at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, stressed the importance of partnerships in transforming Nigeria’s irrigation sector.

Similarly, the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Mr Ayo Sotinrin, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting FLID through tailored financing products, solar irrigation schemes, and strategic partnerships.

Participants at the launch identified challenges, including limited access to technology, finance, and extension services.

They also highlighted opportunities in solar irrigation innovations, decision support tools, and farmer advisory platforms.

IWMI said the platform would host quarterly dialogues to track progress and support Nigeria’s national agenda on food security and agricultural transformation.

The institute added that scaling up FLID would require innovative financing, wider adoption of efficient technologies, capacity strengthening for farmers, and a cohesive enabling environment for collaboration.

According to IWMI, the platform will serve as a hub for research, innovation, and policy engagement to unlock irrigation development and strengthen resilience for Nigerian smallholder farmers. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

NCF distributes improved seeds to Yobe farmers
Agriculture

NCF distributes improved seeds to Yobe farmers

By Ahmed Abba

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) on Tuesday in Nguru distributed improved crop seeds to farmers in Maja-kura community and announced plans to establish a seed bank.

Mr Harry Junior, Coordinator of the NCF Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands Conservation Project, said the activity was part of a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-supported climate change adaptation initiative in Yobe.

He said the improved seeds, including soybean, cowpeas, sorghum and millet, would be stored in the seed bank since the planting season was over, to ensure future access for farmers during subsequent farming seasons.

“The initiative will also serve as an exchange, where farmers provide crop residues after harvest in return for seedlings.

“The residues will then be processed into animal feed and packaged, creating additional income for communities,” Junior explained.

He said that youths would be trained and engaged in processing the animal feeds, while women would benefit from packaging and sales to strengthen household income.

The coordinator added that the project sought to promote empowerment, skill acquisition and sustainable income generation for farmers, while addressing youth restiveness and reducing women’s redundancy.

Also speaking, Dr Michael Nkereuwem, a resource person and senior lecturer at the Department of Crop/Soil Science, Federal University Dutse, took the beneficiaries through the advantages of improved seeds for climate change adaptation.

Nkereuwem also explained planting methods, benefits and maturity duration of improved seeds to the beneficiaries.

Key stakeholders present at the event include officials from Yobe’s Ministry of Agriculture, Nguru Local Government Area, Yobe Ministry of Environment and traditional leaders of the beneficiary communities.

In his remarks, Al-amin Umar, the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Nguru Local Government Area, expressed satisfaction with the quality of seeds distributed to the farmers.

He said the improved varieties were free from pests and diseases, adding that farmers had also been trained on appropriate planting methods, including the number of seeds per hole and proper spacing.

“I am very impressed with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation. They have lived up to their promise to support multiple communities in Nguru Local Government,” Umar said. (NAN)

Edited by Christiana Fadare

Soil Values project trains 50 extension agents, lead farmers in Bauchi
Agriculture

Soil Values project trains 50 extension agents, lead farmers in Bauchi

By Ahmed Kaigama

International Fertiliser Development Corporation (IFDC), has begun the training of 50 extension agents and lead farmers on soil restoration, conservation techniques and integrated soil fertility management in Bauchi State.

The two-day training exercise is being implemented under the IFDC Soil Values Programme, aims to improve soil fertility and restore degraded lands in the state, the development comes on the heels of a similar exercise held in Kano and Jigawa.

The Soil Values programme operates in a context marked by climatic and socio-economic challenges facing Sahelian countries, such as recurrent droughts, socio-political conflicts. desertification and the effects of climate change.

The programme’s initiative is built around three intervention pathways (Agroecology, Inclusive Markets and Enabling Environment) as well as five intervention areas: Bundling, Integration, Brokering, Convening and Scoping & Learning.

It aims to improve soil fertility and productivity of two million hectares of agricultural land in the Sahel, while strengthening the resilience and wellbeing of 1.5 million farmers, with a particular focus on women and youth.

Medina Ayuba-Fagbemi, Country Coordinator, Soil Values Programme Nigeria, said this on the sidelines of the training exercise, on Thursday in Bauchi.

She said that 30 extension agents would be trained under the first phase while 20 others under the second phase of the exercise.

Medina said participants would be exposed to integrated soil fertility and soil health management techniques, to boost crop production and enhance food security.

The coordinator said the participants were expected to step down the skills to about 20,000 small holder farmers in Jama’are, Shira, Itas Gadau, Toro, Zaki, Bauchi and Gamawa Local Government Areas of the state.

Medina Ayuba-Fagbemi, Country Coordinator, Soil Values Programme Nigeria

According to Medina, the programme in collaboration with a consortium of partners is building the capacity of extension workers in Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM), and Soil Health Management (SHM) technologies.

Medina said the training exercise reflected its collective commitment towards restoring soil health, improving productivity, and building resilient farming systems.

The training exercise, she said, would not only strengthen extension agents’ technical capacity but also inspire new approaches to working hand-in-hand with farmers for more sustainable and inclusive agricultural transformation.

She said the training is part of a 10-year initiative funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands through its (Dutch) Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS).

Also, Joshua Arogunyo, MELS Coordinator, Soil Values Programme, said the programme focused on enhancing farmer skills in integrated soil health management and soil water conservation, to encourage agro-ecological practices to mitigate impact of climate change in agriculture.

He said the programme initiated viable programmes to improve soil fertility management and restore degraded lands in Bauchi, Kano and Jigawa, adding the scope of the programme would cover 10 states in northern Nigeria.

Arogunyo explained that the programme is being implemented by three core partners including the IFDC, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, and Wageningen University and Research (WUR).

He added that the programme also has five knowledge partners, including the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), AGRA, ICRAF, ISRIC and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).

According to Arogunyo, the €100 million programme, is aimed at restoring degraded lands across the Sahel, covering Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, and reaching 1.5 million smallholder farmers.

“Our target is to restore two million hectares of degraded land across the Sahel. In Nigeria, we hope to restore 800,000 hectares, directly benefiting 600,000 smallholder farmers.

“The thrust of the programme is to reduce the yield gap, improve soil fertility, and make farmers more deliberate about giving back to the soil to ensure long-term productivity and food security,” he said.

He highlighted that Soil Values initiative is built around five intervention pathways: bundling agricultural technologies for smallholder farmers; promoting landscape-level soil restoration, brokering financial instruments to support farmers, facilitating stakeholder policy on soil fertility, and continuous scoping and learning.

According to him, the programme has so far taken off in Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi States as pilot areas, with plans to expand gradually to other states in northern Nigeria.

“We are implementing it across the Sahelian zone of Nigeria because that is where land degradation is most severe,” he said.

Arogunyo further explained that the Soil Values consortium is also collaborating with the World Bank through ACReSAL and L-PRES.

“It is our hope that at the end of this programme, Nigeria would have made significant progress in restoring degraded lands, increasing farmer incomes, and raising consciousness about the importance of investing in soil health in a sustainable manner,” he said.

Some of the participants, Aliyu Safiyanu and Helen Ciroma, lauded the gesture, adding it would encourage Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in the state.

Safiyanu said that he learnt new skills that would enable him to teach rural farmers on how to utilise farm by-products to nourish their farmlands.

On her part, Ciroma said the new techniques would enable women farmers to improve their soil fertility and increase productivity. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

MAK/RSA
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Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

Food for Lagos project ‘ll make Kogi farmers richer – Commissioner
Agriculture

Food for Lagos project ‘ll make Kogi farmers richer – Commissioner

By Thompson Yamput

The Kogi  Government says the Food for Lagos partnership  between it  and Lagos state would further enrich its farmers.

The state also reiterated  commitment to transforming its agricultural sector and improving livelihood of farmers through the partnership,  aimed at creating a robust food supply chain between Kogi and Lagos state.

This is contained  in a statement on  Thursday by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr  Kingsley Fanwo, who highlighted the strategic steps already taken to actualise the economic potential of the initiative.

Fanwo said that Gov.  Ahmed Ododo has begun implementing concrete measures to boost food production, improve infrastructure, and attract high-value investments into the state’s agricultural sector, less than two weeks after signing the agreement.

“The governor didn’t just go there to sign papers. He had since returned home to roll up his sleeves and make the partnership a huge success.

“With the governor’s efforts, Kogi farmers will earn more from their agricultural produce,” he said.

He revealed that the state Ministry of Agriculture had already mapped out key areas with comparative advantages for specific crops, ensuring that each region contributed meaningfully to the value chain.

Kogi, he said, is already a leading producer of cassava in Nigeria and West Africa, and the administration is working hard to dominate other areas of food production.

“We are not just talking about being the food basket of the nation, we are taking real steps to become one,” he said.

He lauded Ododo as a visionary leader, who  from the outset of his administration, placed agriculture at the center of his development agenda.

“During his campaigns and in his inaugural speech, Ododo  emphasised the need for Kogi to be self-sufficient in food production. Today, he is fulfilling that promise.”

Fanwo also highlighted major government-backed programmes such as RAAMP (Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project), which is facilitating the rehabilitation of rural roads to improve access to markets.

He said that ACReSAL (Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes), also supported by the state government, is channeling investments into rural farming communities.

“Agriculture in Kogi is receiving the biggest attention it has ever received.

“Our youth and women from Ibaji to Gegu and Egbe are now fully involved in the agricultural revival sweeping across the state.”

He noted that the state’s growing success in combating rural insecurity has contributed to increased farming activity and boosted confidence among local farmers.

The information commissioner said that the Food for Lagos Project is a game-changer, not only for food supply in Nigeria’s largest city but also for wealth creation and economic empowerment in Kogi.

“With sustained implementation, this partnership will make Kogi farmers richer and the state stronger economically,”  Fanwo added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Lagos state government on July 23, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the governors of Niger, Taraba, Kogi, and Ogun.

The MOU was signed during the launch of the N500 billion ‘Produce for Lagos’ initiative of the state.

The food for Lagos initiative was aimed at  strengthening food supply chains and tackling rising food costs.

The agreement formalised  an  inter-state collaboration on agricultural production, logistics, and market access to ensure consistent food availability in Lagos state. (NAN)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

Dangote Cement empowers 50 farmers for agro-business
Agriculture

Dangote Cement empowers 50 farmers for agro-business

The Dangote Cement has launched a Farmers Empowerment Programme (FEP) in Benue to support the government’s food security efforts.

The initiative is aimed at enabling 50 farmers to produce subsistence and cash crops in commercial quantity from Benue, which is considered to be the food basket of the nation.

The programme is coming barely two months after the company empowered businesswomen in Gboko with cash grants, thus deepening business activities in the State.

Earlier, the company had increased bursary payments to students of host communities by more than 100 per cent.

Speaking on Thursday at the launch of the programme, General Manager Social Performance, Johnson Kor, described the programme as ‘historic and innovative.’

He said the beneficiaries were selected from the company’s host communities of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue.

According to him, the beneficiaries were carefully selected from the six catchment areas of the Local Government.

Kor said that the projects have been earmarked for the communities as captured in the extant Community Development Agreement (CDA), adding that the contents of the CDA are progressively being executed.

“Today we are witnessing an historic occasion in our journey of mutual development. Farmers Empowerment Programme is the first programme to be launched since we signed the CDA with the immediate host communities in December 2024,” he said.

In his speech, Plant Director, Dangote Cement, Gboko Plant, Munusamy Murugan, said the company would also support farmers with fertilizers, Agro chemicals, Knapsack Sprayers and various types of seedlings.

Murugan, who was represented by Head of Production Department, Soom Kiishi, said: “This is the first batch but certainly just the beginning, and certainly not the end. We plan it to be an annual event, but the choice of the Farmers programme may change, depending on the choice of the benefiting communities.”

He said other economic empowerment programmes are lined up in the coming weeks.

“The Youth Empowerment Programme will soon be launched, and selected beneficiaries will receive training in Welding & Fabrication, and Solar Electrical Installation from professional personnel,” he added.

He said that the company’s scholarship scheme cuts across students from various disciplines and tertiary institutions.

 

A Consultant from Abbass Corporate Services, Dr Ahemen Samuel, advised the beneficiaries to make use of the rare opportunity from the Dangote Cement Plc.

The Consultant said the company’s effort would help transform beneficiaries into entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector and enable them to support the government’s food security effort.

Responding, a member of the community, Kwaghgba Isaac, described the FEP as a historic and huge intervention from the company, noting that the effort would not boost subsistence farming and help feed the nation.

He urged members of the communities to sustain the peaceful coexistence currently being enjoyed with the company.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Organic food: Farmers seek FG support on markets, chemical use
Food Security

Organic food: Farmers seek FG support on markets, chemical use

By Daniel Obaje

Experts in the agriculture sector have urged the Federal Government to prioritise organic farming and reduce reliance on hazardous agrochemicals, which threatens public health and limit Nigeria’s access to international markets.

 

They made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Karshi, Abuja during a visit to organic farms as part of a field report on sustainable agricultural practices.

 

Mr Adams Peter, Managing Director of Amadam’s Organic Agricultural Company, said Nigeria’s overdependence on chemical-based farming has become a major barrier to global trade.

 

“Our food exports are being rejected in many countries because they are not organic and are contaminated by chemicals,”

 

He explained that most farmers lack proper training on the safe use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers which leads to misuse and unsafe residue levels in food.

 

Peter, whose company has been operating since 2001, said his organisation is focused on organic farming because of its multiple benefits to health, environment and the economy.

 

“Organic agriculture is not only safer for consumers; it also nourishes the soil and protects the ecosystem.

 

“It creates employment, especially for Nigerians and can improve household income.”

 

He noted that in spite of growing awareness about food safety, organic food remains largely inaccessible in many urban centres.

 

“We hardly find organic vegetables or foodstuff in Abuja markets, that is why we are working with our network to set up dedicated organic food markets across the FCT.

 

“Government support for organic farming is still very low. If we’re serious about improving food quality and boosting exports, we must invest in organic agriculture,” he said.

 

Also speaking, Mr Donald Ikenna, Lead Coordinator of the Alliance for Action on Pesticide in Nigeria, warned about the growing use of highly hazardous chemicals in the country’s food production system.

 

“More than 40 per cent of the chemicals used by farmers in Nigeria are classified as highly hazardous, this puts both farmers and consumers at serious risk.”

 

Ikenna said the widespread use of such chemicals has been linked to an increase in cancer, kidney failure and other chronic diseases.

 

“People are falling ill from what they eat and the economy is also suffering as we lose billions to rejected food exports.”

 

He stressed the need for a national shift to safer and science-backed alternatives, including biopesticides, organic fertilizers and agroecological practices.

 

He called on state governments and lawmakers to ensure constituency projects support organic farming initiatives at the grassroots.

 

“We have the local capacity to produce organic farm inputs in Nigeria. What we need is investment, training and strong political will.

 

“We must stop pumping money into harmful chemicals and start building systems that promote health, sustainability and long-term food security.”

 

NAN reports that organic and agroecological farming is gaining momentum globally as a safer, climate-friendly alternative to conventional agricultural practices.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Adopt organic farming to produce healthy food – FG tells farmers
Agriculture

Adopt organic farming to produce healthy food – FG tells farmers

By Patricia Amogu

The Federal Government has urged small and large scale farmers to adopt organic farming to produce healthy food.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, made the call in Abuja, during the election of executive members of Organic Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (OFPSAN).

Ogunbiyi, who was represented by Director, Farm Inputs Support Services Department, Mr Abana Abba, said food security and quality would only be achieved through healthy farming systems.

He stressed the need for cooperation among members of the association and urged them to support the government’s initiatives aimed at ensuring food security in the country.

“The food security aspect of the nation is paramount, and this administration always emphasises that.

“Being the regulator of the fertiliser sector we always try to ensure that quality is not compromised,’’ he said.

Alhaji Adams Musa, the incoming president of the association said the new leadership was committed to ensuring stronger structural and organisational reforms.

This, he said, would ensure professionalism, transparency and sustainable growth of the group.

“We will focus on deepening our engagement with the government and international partners to elevate organic agriculture as a key driver of food security in Nigeria.

“This is not a one-man journey. I invite every one of you, stakeholders, producers, suppliers and partners to come on board with renewed passion.

“Let us challenge the status quo, let us innovate, and let us grow. Together we can; and will make organic farming practices not just a dream but a national standard,” he said

Mr Isiaku Buba, National Project Coordinator, National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-pocket (NAGs-AP) tasked the association to help in finding solutions to challenges facing organic farming in the country.

He said one of such challenges was limited access to quality organic fertiliser.

“The quality of the product is very important because farmers ask a lot of questions and are always not sure of the quality of the fertilisers,

“There must be quality control mechanisms that will give them confidence and enhance their harvest.

“Worldwide people are clamouring for organically produced food, especially vegetables; all eyes are on the organic food systems to meet required standards both in quality and quantity,’’ he said.

Chief Okabirihedike Martin-Ihesie, Chairman Board of Trustees, OFPSAN, pledged the support of the board to the new executive.

“Let us unite for a stronger and firmer body that will ensure that Nigeria is placed on the map as one of the countries with the healthiest population,’’ he added. (NAN)

Edited by Uche Anunne

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