May 27, 2024
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Abubakar Kyari, on Monday, disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security injected N309 billion into the economy in one year under the Tinubu-led administration.
Kyari who was accompanied by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Aliyu Abdullahi, made this known during the ‘Ministerial Sectoral Update’ as President Bola Tinubu’s administration tagged ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ clocks one year on May 29, 2024.
According to him, the ministry was given 20 deliverables to actualize Mr President’s 8-point Agenda, which included working with states and local governments, and the private sector to open up land to boost production (farming) of key staple foods based on their competitive and comparative advantages; also to implement programmes on youth and women empowerment in agriculture, and family livelihood improvement enterprises; Implement the rural transformation programme by working with states and local governments to provide basic infrastructure that promotes rural development, and others.
Meanwhile, according to the minister, for food and nutrition security launch of dry season farming, the ministry was able to facilitate “cultivation of 118,657 hectares of wheat in 15 States in acceleration of all year round farming”, in which 107,429 wheat farmers were supported with inputs resulting in output of 474,628 metric tonnes of wheat.
He said: “In response to persistent food inflation, the following measures were undertaken to boost production: Distributed 60,432mt of improved seeds, 887,255mt seedlings, 138nos. value kits, 501,726 litres of agrochemicals, 62,328.5 metric tonnes of inorganic fertilizers, 1,000kg fungicide, and 33,200nos equipment to farmers across different value chains to enhance production.
“Received 2.15 million bags of fertilizer from the Central Bank of Nigeria for distribution to farmers free of charge.
“Improvement of farmland security with provision of additional resources to Agro Rangers and other security agencies.
“Estimated value of N309 billion injected into the economy. In response to presidential directive, released to National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, for distribution 42,000mt of assorted food commodities from the FGN Strategic Food Reserve.
“Procured and distributed to all States and Federal Capital Territory, FCT, 58,500 metric tonnes of milled rice, to dampen escalating prices. Fortification of crops with Vitamin A micro-nutrient to enrich nutrition content and health value of food commodities.”
The minister also said as part of the ministry’s achievements within one year, the ministry strengthened mechanization for massive food production on the heels of the Federal Government through the ministry signed Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with John Deere and Tata Africa to assemble in-country and supply 10,000 tractors with implements and accessories at 2,000 units yearly, as well as 100 units of combined harvesters to support production.
He added that 2,000 tractors were to be purchased directly from John Deere out of 10,000 tractors, based on Mr President’s order, which already 500 were on their way to Nigeria.
Also, the minister disclosed that the Federal Government through the ministry had a partnership deal with the Brazilian Government with the sum of 995,000 Euros to provide mechanisation hubs across the federation, including facilitation of supply of 2,000 Belarus tractors, while Greener Hope Mechanisation Services was on course.
On agricultural research activities, the minister said 23 improved crop varieties were developed by the national agricultural research institutes, certified and released by the National Varietal Release Committee, improved storage facilities, fabrication of machinery (planters, ploughs, and harvesters).
Meanwhile, on agricultural produce export, he said there was an increase based on the intensification of efforts for the production and processing of soybean, sesame, ginger, hibiscus and tree crop produce for export, based on improvement recorded on the standardization and quality assurance process for exportable agricultural commodities.
On livestock production and animal health, the minister said the ministry procured and distributed 14,056,467 doses of anthrax spore, foot and mouth diseases vaccines for risk-based vaccination exercise in 22 high-risk states located in the North-Central, North-West, North-East, South-West and South-South zones of the country with the establishment of animal health centres and veterinary hospital, 164 milk collection centres, eight cottage feed mills and seven livestock centres.
Capacity building for livestock farmers on biosecurity and anti-microbial resistance to safeguard animal production, facilitation of fodder and pasture programme with distribution of 130 residue crushers and development of 1,848.5 hectares of pastures across states for livestock consumption.
Facilitation of 14,926,469 vaccinations for animals and artificial insemination of 2095 animals across the nation.
In pilot phase handed over to 15 state governments, 760 tonnes of poultry feed and 70 tonnes of ruminant feed for distribution to small holder farmers.
