Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture
By Gift Ewah
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, has assured that the second phase of the Dry/Wet Season Farming intervention will commence January, 2024. This, he said was part of efforts at tackling food insecurity in the country,
The Minister who made this known on Friday in Abuja when the Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar Namadi paid him a courtesy visit in his office also vowed tackle the challenges of round-tripping in connivance with agro-dealers and poor validation of farmers’ data in parts of the participating states.
Recalls that the first phase of
wheat Dry Season Farming under the NAGS-AP programme commenced in November, 2023 where some of these challenges had surfaced.
“The second phase of the Dry/Wet Season Farming intervention is expected to commence this month, and we are determined to make it a success.
“As we look forward, it is imperative for us to tackle some of the challenges observed and ensure that they do not impede our agricultural development agenda.
“These challenges include reported cases of round-tripping in connivance with agro-dealers and poor validation of farmers’ data in parts of the participating states. Happily, the case of Jigawa State is remarkably different.
” The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is fully committed to addressing the issues of round-tripping and poor validation of farmers’ data. We are dedicated to implementing stringent measures in the forthcoming Dry/Wet Season Farming for Rice, Maize, and Cassava, to ensure transparent distribution and target genuine farmers. Collaboration with states, local governments, traditional rulers, NGOs, and relevant MDAs will be crucial in achieving the desired objectives,” he said.
Kyari therefore sought the collaboration of stakeholders in the agriculture sector to ensure a successful intervention.
“We seek the support of all stakeholders in the agricultural sector to overcome the challenges and ensure a successful intervention despite time constraints.
The minister who expressed satisfaction on allocation to his ministry in the 2024 budget said ;” The Ministry is focused on ramping up massive production of staple crops using technology and mechanization to achieve this goal. We are grateful for the support and guidance of Mr. President as we work towards a more food-secure Nigeria.
” I would like to reiterate that the ministry is fully aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We are poised to implement our programs in line with his vision for the agricultural sector.
” We are determined to driving agricultural transformation, enhancing productivity, and ensuring that our farmers have the necessary support to thrive. Our goal also includes ensuring food security and driving down food inflation,” he concluded.
In his remarks, Governor Namadi commended the minister for all the support and confidence imposed in Jigawa State, adding that he visit was home coming, pointing out that “I am here on behalf of the people and farmers of Jigawa State”.
The Governor thanked the minister for giving Jigawa State the largest share of Wheat during the Wheat Dry Season Farming under the NAGS-AP programme.
He stated that despite the fact that Jigawa State has lot of challenges, as earlier mentioned by the minister, not using the right farmers among other issues was quite challenging.
He assured that Jigawa State will continue to cooperate with the ministry to achieve food security in the country, pointing out that presently, Jigawa State is updating their farmers register and by the time they commence the rice dry season farming, they will have a completed data base for rice farmers.
The Governor, also noted that the certificate to be issued to farmers will show their passport photographs, location of farmland to ensure that farmers in the state are properly guided.
