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FOOD SUFFICIENCY: FG Set to Revitalize Rice Farms in Anambra State
The Minister of State, Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri has stated that the Federal Government Rice Farms in Anambra State will be revitalized to boost rice production, create jobs and also improve the living standard of the people in the State and the region.
Speaking during his on the spot assessment of Federal Government Rice Farms/ Mills in Omor and Umerum, located at Ayamelum Local Government Area of the State under Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme 1(ATASP-1), today, 28th September 2020, the Minister stated that’’ the Federal Government is vigorously pursuing and implementing programmes to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production because of its strategic importance as a major staple food crop in achieving food and nutrition security, import substitution and promotion of inclusive economic growth’’.
Shehuri noted that “ the present administration has provided various interventions to promote investment in the rice sector. As a result of these interventions, the country has increased its production from 4.8 million metric tons of milled rice in 2015 to over 6 million metric tons by 2019 with a huge reduction in the nation’s deficit’’.
The Minister further stated that ‘’ Some of the activities undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop the rice sector include the following: Provision of farm inputs such as agrochemicals, organic fertilizers, knapsack sprayers, planting & harvesting equipment such as reapers, mini combine harvesters, threshers at a subsidized rate in order to increase productivity.
He added that ‘’the Provision of modern rice milling machines of various capacities per day (10tons, 20tons and 50tons) with their accessories such as destoners, parboilers, dryers, colour sorters to small/medium scale processors who currently produce the bulk of Nigeria rice to improve the quality of their output, facilitated the establishment of 25 Nos. integrated rice mills by private investors nationwide so as to improve the quality of Nigeria milled rice to international standard and currently produce over one million metric tons of rice annually”.
Shehuri further said that ” the Ministry has established 23 Paddy Aggregation Centers nationwide to aggregate and store paddy. The centres were given to members of the Paddy Dealers Association of Nigeria (PRIDAN) under the public-private partnership arrangement”.
He stated that ‘’ there will be Dissemination of modern rice production and processing technologies through capacity building of farmers and processors directly and also in conjunction with the international donor agencies such as Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), German International Cooperation (GIZ), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Competitive Africa Rice Initiative (CARI), AfricaRice’’.
He reiterated that ‘’ the Ministry is currently responding to the challenges of food availability posed by the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting smallholder farmers nationwide with various inputs including certified seeds of improved varieties of food crops such as rice, maize, sorghum, wheat, orange-flesh sweet potato, groundnut cowpea, soybean, yam, as well as cash crops like cashew, cocoa, sesame, oil palm, gum Arabic. Others include herbicides, pesticides and agricultural machinery such as rice reapers, transplanters, power tillers motorized sprayers and processing equipment. According to him, ‘’these are expected to alleviate the effect of the pandemic on farmers and ensure that they keep producing food for the country’’.The Minister informed that ‘’ this rice farm is sited here because of the recognition of Anambra State as one of the major rice-producing States in the South-East zone’’.
He thanked the Government of Anambra State for keying into the policies and programmes of the administration by promoting agriculture especially rice production and processing. He also appreciated Hon (Barr.) Vincent Ofumelu, for his passion and determination to improve the livelihood of his people.
In his remark, the House of Representative member of Oyi /Ayamelum Constituency of the National Assembly, Hon. (Barr) Vicent Ofumelu Stated appealed to the Minister to use his good office to intervene in reviving the pumping Stations located in Ifite Ogwari and Umueje communities to boost rice production and increase the locally generated revenue of the people.
Hon. Ofumelu stated that the people are basically farmers and are desirous of Agriculture intervention policies of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. He also solicited for Agricultural Inputs, Quality Seeds and Financial grant to assist farmers in the communities.
The Minister also visited the Omor/ Umeum rice Farms, Giant rice Mill in Umumbo communities and commissioned a Blocks of Class Rooms sponsored by Hon. Vicent Ofumelu.
Agric Minister Pledges Support for OGP Initiative.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono has pledged the Ministry’s support for the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Initiative by the Federal Government, stating that the initiative would make governance more transparent, accountable and participatory.
The Minister, disclosed this when the National Coordinator, SERVICOM, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli and her team paid an advocacy visit to his office in Abuja, today and dressed as a SERVICOM Champion.Alhaji Sabo Nanono said the Ministry will synergize with SERVICOM to drive the process to promote the good governance initiative of Mr President as also enshrined in the Executive Order 001.
In her presentation, Mrs Nnnenna Akajemeli stated that the initiative has presented a platform for co-operation, partnership and collaboration between the Government (State Actors), Civil Society and the Private sector (Non-State Actors) that will bring immense developmental benefits to the Nation.
Mrs Akajemeli further stated that with the full commitment by key public sector bureaucrats; there will be development, reviews and implementation of service standards at service windows that would help the initiative to fall in line with our national guidelines.
According to the National Coordinator, SERVICOM has strategized to working closely with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) through their Service Charters to drive continuous citizen-focused service improvements in Nigeria.
Akajemeli pointed out that the Federal government’s commitment to the initiative would foster openness, transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and co-operation in service delivered by the MDA’s, adding that the process will translate to good governance.
FG Establishes Portal for Online Registration of Fertilizer Dealers for Quality Control – NANONO
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono has revealed that the Ministry through the Department of Farm Inputs Support Services (FISS) has established an online portal called the National Fertilizer Management Platform for the registration of Fertilizer dealers in Nigeria.
He stated that the Initiative would ensure accessibility, transparency, accountability among fertilizer value chain players in order to create sanity in the fertilizer space.
Speaking during the Meeting /Workshop on Operationalization of the National Fertilizer Quality Control (NFQC) Act and Regulations held at the Debbie’s Upper Class & Recreation Limited, Nyanya- Karshi Expressway, Orozo in Abuja, on Monday 22nd September 2020, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono stated that the portal would strategically guarantee that all relevant stakeholders are properly and adequately guided on the use of fertilizers.
Alhaji Sabo Nanono noted that the training of stakeholders on fertilizer code of practice, product handling, use and management practices, said, ‘’this is with a view to equipping you for advisory services to farmers as they come to buy fertilizers from you’’.
The Minister stressed that there is a need for a robust public awareness campaign and continuous sensitization of the general public on the fertilizer regulatory system.Nanono charged, ‘’all the fertilizer players to re-double their efforts and carry on with your businesses in line with the provisions of the National Fertilizer Quality Control (NFQC) Act and the fertilizer Regulations’’, assuring that the Ministry will provide all the necessary support and assistance needed for the stakeholders to carry on their legitimate business unhindered.
He noted that‘’ Mr President has created ample opportunities for you the fertilizer players to reposition yourself to take advantage of the good and clear policy environment to grow your businesses’’.The Minister informed that ‘’ the Ministry officials will be engaging the relevant stakeholders during the 3-day workshop in three separate orders; – Day 1 for inorganic fertilizer Suppliers (Manufacturers/Blenders and Importers), Day 2 for organic fertilizer suppliers and Day 3 which is the last day for agro-dealers (distributors)’’.
He added that the workshop is to ensure participation of all stakeholders in the implementation process.In his welcome address, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Abdulkadir Mu’azu, represented by Director in the Permanent Secretary‘s office, Engr. Mohammed Bello said that ‘’the purpose of this workshop is to discuss the critical areas of the fertilizer Act in order to enhance our understanding of the operations of the fertilizer regulatory system’’.
Dr Mu’azu further said that ‘’ the interest of the Ministry is not to watch individuals violate the law and pay penalties but to ensure maximum compliance in order to grow the local fertilizer industry and the agricultural sector’’.In his goodwill message, the Chairman, House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, Hon. Dandutse Muntari Mohammed, pointed out that ‘’the Act was enacted to protect the interests of the farmers against nutrient deficiencies, adulteration as well as the investments of fertilizer industry players’’.
He assured of the National Assembly’s support on the implementation of the Act.While giving a vote of thanks, Director, Farms Inputs Support Services Department in the Ministry, Engr. Tunde Bello thanked the stakeholders for their commitment and technical support towards the actualization of the NFQC Act and Regulations.
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FMARD has the mandate to ensure food security in crop, livestock and fisheries, stimulate agricultural employment and services, promote the production and supply of raw materials to agro industries, provide markets for the products of the industrial sector, generate foreign exchange and aid rural socio-economic development” Read More