News in brief:
– Sokoto state governor seeks federal government collaboration to enhance food production by addressing the insecurity challenges plaguing his region.
-Niger state governor announces land donation for the federal government’s farming initiative and investments in facilities to curb post-harvest losses.
Governors of Nigeria’s Sokoto and Niger states are seeking collaboration and support from the federal government to enhance food production in their respective states. They made the call during a recent visit to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Abuja, as reported by a local media house.
Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto, identified insecurity as the primary challenge hindering agricultural activities in his state. He proposed a state-level committee collaborating with the Ministry of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy to establish a reliable identification system.
Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger state, meanwhile expressed confidence in Niger emerging as the leading rice producer in Nigeria. He cited progress in rice paddy production and announced the state’s donation of 150,000 hectares of land for the federal government’s dry season farming initiative. He emphasised the adoption of technology and mechanisation to optimise output from the planned 1 million hectares for 2024.
Niger state investing in facilities to curb post-harvest losses
Additionally, Governor Bago addressed the concern of post-harvest losses, outlining investments in storage facilities and improved rural access roads to minimise this challenge. He revealed the state’s shift from traditional farming practices to a system where the government invests in land preparation, ensuring direct access to genuine farmers on the ground.
Responding, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, commended the efforts of both states and expressed optimism for future improvements. He applauded Sokoto state’s progress and Governor Aliyu’s initiatives, which include the fertiliser distribution and the Kware Irrigation Scheme. Minister Kyari added that these aligned with the ‘Renewed Hope for Food Security Agenda’ under President Tinubu.
Kyari also reiterated the government’s commitment to transparent agro-input distribution and targeting genuine farmers in the upcoming dry/wet season farming program. He stressed the importance of collaboration with states, local governments, traditional rulers, NGOs, and relevant agencies to achieve this goal.
