Category: AGRICULTURE

Katsina to inject over N30bn into Agric sector

Aminu Imam
Katsina on agric

In its continued efforts to enhance agricultural activities for food production and rural economy, Katsina State Government has said plans are underway to inject over N30 billion into agricultural mechanization. The state Governor, Dikko Umar Raɗɗa, disclosed this while addressing newsmen shortly after his return from one month vacation. Raɗɗa, who proceeded to China at the end of his vacation to explore ways of moderinizing agriculture in his State, said part of the amount would be utilised for the setting up of agric. mechanization centres in each local government area.…

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Food Security: Uba Sani floods Kaduna with 15,000 metric tonnes of free fertiliser for farmers

Aminu Imam
Uba Sani free fertiliser

Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani, flagged-off the distribution of 500 trucks of fertilizer, about 15,000 metric tonnes, to small-holder farmers across the 23 local government areas of the State. Amidst great jubilation at the Murtala Square in the metropolis, where hundreds of the farmers converged, the Governor stated that 240,000 bags of fertiliser would be distributed free to 120,000 small-holder farmers, with each farmer receiving two bags. The Governor said the initiative was part of the State government’s commitment to revitalising the agricultural sector which immensely contributed to the…

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‘Nigeria’s food importation policy could destroy country’s agriculture’ – AfFB President, Adesina

Aminu Imam
Akinwumi Adesina

President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has said the decision by Nigeria’s government to allow massive food importation risks destroying the country’s agriculture. According to him, this follows the announcement by Nigeria’s Minister for Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, on July 10, that the Federal Government would suspend duties, tariffs, and taxes on the importation of maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas through the country’s land and sea borders, for 150 days. Adesina, who stated this while speaking to African Primates of the Anglican Church at…

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“Tinubu creates Livestock Development Ministry to halt farmers/herders clash”- Ganduje

Aminu Imam
Ganduje on livestock ministry

…Inaugurates Renewed Hope implementation c’ttee President Bola Tinubu has approved the creation of a new Ministry of Livestock Development. This came as he yesterday inaugurated the Renewed Hope livestock reform implementation committee at the State House, Abuja. The committee is mandated to provide sector-focused solutions to address the age-long farmers-herders crisis. Recall that on September 14, 2023, the National Livestock Reforms Committee recommended that Tinubu create a “Ministry of Livestock Resources” to, among other deliverables, reduce the decades-long gory conflict between farmers and nomadic cattle herders nationwide. Chairman of the…

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Agric Intervention: FG mulls measures to sieve out fake ‘political’ farmers

Aminu Imam

The Federal Government has said it was working on stringent measures to sieve out fake and ‘political’ farmers who usually hijack agricultural intervention inputs, meant for genuine farmers. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this in Abuja when he received a courtesy visit from the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi. Kyari noted that solving the issues of food insecurity in the country was a task that required direct connection with genuine farmers across the country, who he said should have access to Government intervention. He…

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Nigeria’s Insecurity, Poverty: Shettima identifies agricultural revolution as solution

Aminu Imam

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has identified agricultural revolution as the only bold step Nigeria can take to put an end to insecurity and reduce poverty among its growing population.  Shettima, who stated this on Saturday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, during the 13th Convocation Lecture of Al-Hikmah University, said this can be achieved through the deployment of technology to actualise food security among the country’s growing population, noting that it is where the university comes to extract the maximum benefits from the right synergy that is consistent with its own…

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Food Security: 456,000 farmers to benefit, as FG launches agric. value-chain in 7 states

Aminu Imam

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has launched an agricultural value chain project aimed at boosting agricultural production towards achieving food security in the country. The project, termed: ‘Value-Chain North Project Design Mission’, is jointly initiated by the ministry and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, (IFAD). The project, to be executed in seven Northern States, is to benefit 456,000 farmers. The Director, Project Coordinating Unit, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Bukar Musa, said, during the project in Maiduguri on Thursday, that it would explore all…

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FG to assist 250,000 wheat farmers with subsidies – Agric. Minister, Kyari

Aminu Imam

The Federal Government has pledged to support about 250,000 wheat farmers with a 50 percent input subsidy to cultivate about 250,000 hectares during this year’s dry season. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this during the flag-off of the 2023/2024 dry session farming under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-pocket Project at Kadume Village, Hadejia local government area, Jigawa State, yesterday. He said the FG’s support for the wheat farmers is expected to produce over 1.2 million tonnes of wheat during the farming session.…

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FG approves 50% subsidy on agric. inputs amid food inflation

Aminu Imam

The Federal Government has endorsed a 50% reduction in the cost of agricultural inputs in preparation for the commencement of dry season farming starting from November 25, 2023. This announcement came through a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, which indicated that the Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, will lead the launch ceremony in Jigawa State. The event aims not only to kick-start dry season farming but also to facilitate the distribution of vital resources like seedlings, herbicides, pesticides, and more. This initiative spans across the…

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“We must develop our agric sector to self-sufficiency”, VP Shettima tells Governors

Aminu Imam

Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, has implored Governors of the 36 States of the federation to work towards revamping Nigeria’s agricultural sector with a view to reducing dependence on food imports and attaining greater food self-sufficiency. This, he noted, resonates well with the investments and commitment of the African Development Bank (AfDB) to establishing Specialised Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) in the country. Sen. Shettima gave the charge yesterday, during the 137th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. While delivering his opening address…

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