FG SET TO PARTNER BRAZIL ON SUPPLY OF TRACTORS TO FARMERS
The Hon Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar has said that the Federal Government was to partner Brazilian government on the supply and distribution of 10,000 tractors to farmers across the country in order to fast track the mechanization of the Agricultural sector, improve production and boost economy. The development according to the Minister would enhance food self-sufficiency and create job opportunity for Nigerian youths.
The Minister gave this indication at the opening ceremony of Africa’s Agricultural machines and equipment Technology expo on industrializing Africa’s Agriculture through technology and innovation, held in Abuja recently.
He revealed that the purpose of the expo was to expose African Farmers to cost- effective farm machines , new farming technologies, to increase foreign direct investments, as well as create business among farm products, producers and processors. This, the Minister noted, was in tandem with Agricultural Policy of the Government and a clarion call to bring succor to the drudgery nature of our farm practices in order to encourage the teeming youths to embrace the agricultural sector.
Abubakar further said that the expo was an avenue for exchange of cultural values which will attract needed capital into Africa’s farm sector. This he said, will come face to face with experts in Agricultural Engineering field such as farm power and machinery, irrigation [soil and water engineering], storage of Agricultural products on commercial quantity.
The minster pledged that the forum will go a long way to establish a knowledge and business sharing platform with a view to identifying a global investment opportunities and risk, adding that it will translate into an increased production and quality level of African farm harvest.
He further revealed that “the quest for food self- sufficiency cannot be achieved using the old method of rudimentary tools. He therefor urged farmers to grab the new technologies and innovations in order to do exploits in farm practices”.
Dr. Abubakar stated that the partnership with Brazilian counterparts would ensure the provision of 10,000 units of tractors,50,000 units of assorted implements and equipment for assembly in Nigeria , 142 turnkey factories for Agro Processing as well as Training of the project beneficiaries for over a period of five years.
Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ernest Umahkike represented by the the Director, Federal Department of Agriculture, Engr Abdullahi Abubakar Garuba stated that the Expo was meant to expose Africa’s farmers to latest innovation in technology across the value chain.
He pointed out that “Agriculture in Nigeria contributed about 33% to Gross Domestic Product and engage a large number of our working force in farming”.
He added that Agricultural Expo will contribute to the advance processing of agricultural raw materials and promote the growth of agro-industrial section and export of food products that are made in Nigeria.
The Expo featured display of various Agricultural equipment by different agricultural and allied manufactures.
Salamatu F. Jibaniya
Assistant Director (Information)
For: Director, Information (FMARD)
22/06/22
Sahel: June Local Training
The FMARD Capacity Support Project, implemented by Sahel Consulting, held its first local training for selected technical staff of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The 4-day training themed ‘Leveraging Digital Innovation for Efficiency in Processing and Export’ was held from the 6th – 9th June 2022, at the Hawthorn Suites, Garki-Abuja. The training was attended by 39 participants selected from technical departments in FMARD Headquarters-Abuja, and 9 other state offices including Oyo, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi, Anambra, Kaduna, Ondo, Sokoto, and Kano.
The training involved interactive lecture sessions, group activities, ICT skills strengthening sessions, and field visits to two local food processing and exporting businesses in Abuja; First Class Refreshment Limited and Cassanovas Nigeria. Participants engaged these stakeholders firsthand to understand their business models challenges.
Participants were taken through robust modules that included Assessing Agri Supply Chains and the Role of Stakeholders as Drivers of Sustainable Export, Easing Export Barriers: Policies and Regulatory Reforms, International Trade Agreements, viable supply chains, The role of FMARD in Shaping policies, building strategic partnerships and the local farmers’ economic profile to drive agricultural export, and Developing Inclusive and Equitable supply chain systems in driving food security and exportation growth in Nigeria – AACE Foods as a case study, among others.
Below were some key takeaways shared by participants from the training program:
- For FMARD and Nigeria in general to maximize outcomes from policies in place, national interest must override personal interest. This would work to ensure that policy summersault does not halt activities or cancel promising initiatives working for the greater good. Also, as a staff of FMARD, one must align their roles to the overall goal of the organization.
- FMARD must be intentional in understanding the effect of global events on the Nigerian food ecosystem. An example is the effect of the Ukraine-Russia war on the price of wheat and subsequently a lot of products in Nigeria.
- State governments in Nigeria have to actively analyze and develop income-generating opportunities. With the support and direction of FMARD, State governments must prioritize certain commodities and provide systems to enhance the production and export of such commodities.
- FMARD must seek out partnerships with other agencies in the export sector for collaboration and synergy so as to make the certification, licensing, and export easier for Nigerian entrepreneurs. In addition to this, FMARD must also be conversant with opportunities in the financial sector to support farmers and entrepreneurs. An example is the RT200 Fx program by CBN which incentivizes the export of proceeded value-added products.
- The diaspora population is not fully utilized by the Nigerian export sector, as this is a vehicle to position and make accessible high-quality Nigerian products around the world.
- Export readiness was identified as a major barrier for Nigerian entrepreneurs. FMARD must be instrumental in creating and adopting a model that shows the private sector what works and where to channel investment into. For example, the creation of a staple commodity processing zones where processing, packaging, certification, and licensing can be done.
For unlimited access to training slides and videos from all of the FMARD Capacity Support training programs please visit the FMARD e-learning portal, and contact the FMARD ICT team for your login details.
FG INAUGURATES COMMITTEE FOR EXTENSION MANUAL REVIEW…
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe has inaugurated the Committee for the Extension Manual Review, stating that it would promote effective and efficient extension services delivery as well as produce a harmonized copy for evaluation and validation.
The Permanent Secretary also stated that the initiative would facilitate the impactful practices of effective service delivery to the agricultural value chains into the current extension training manual.
The Permanent Secretary made this statement during the inauguration Ceremony of the Committee for Extension Manual Review, which took place at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Abuja, recently.
Dr. Umakhihe revealed that the ministry through Agricultural Extension Services was partnering with USAID FtF Extension Activity, Rural Resilience (Mercy Corps), Winrock International Farmer to Farmer (F2F) Program towards achieving Food and Nutrition Security, Improve Quality Seedlings and Boost Production.
He added the committee would recommend Manpower training for Agricultural Extension Services Personnel aimed at improving extension services in the agricultural sector as well as streamline policies towards achieving quality seedlings and increase in food production.
In his welcome address, the Director, Agricultural Extension Services, Engr. Frank Kudla said that ‘’ the technical review team was composed from the Developmental Partners like USAID , Sasakawa Africa , Federal University of Abeokuta, National Roots Research Institutes, among others . These are tested agricultural extension services professionals and experts in public and private sector’’.
Responding on behalf of the Committee, the Sasakawa Africa Country Director, Prof. Sani Miko assured that the committee would work assiduously towards achieving its set objectives and achieve food sufficiency, improved quality seedlings, increase in production and boost the economic.
The Term of Reference of the Committee includes; Review existing extension training manual and incorporate new innovations and proven ideas that will enhance its efficiency , produce a harmonized copy for evaluation and validation , Incorporate corrections and produce a final copy after validation and make recommendations on who is to be trained using the manual.
Ezeaja Ikemefuna
Chief Information Officer
For: Director, Information (FMARD)
17/06/2022
OVER 10 MILLION NIGERIANS ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN FISHERIES OPERATION – AGRIC MINISTER
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar has said that over 10 Million Nigerians were activity engaged in primary and secondary fisheries operations stating it would lead to reduction of fish importation , increase local production and fast track the economic growth.
The Minister made this known at the closing Ceremony of the Second Dialogue and Sensitization Meeting on Fisheries Governance Project (FISHGOV 2) with Regional Economic Communities (RECs), held at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja, recently.
Dr. Abubakar pointed out that the fisheries and aquaculture subsector was very significant to Nigerian economy in terms of employment creation, income generation, poverty alleviation, foreign exchange earnings and provision of raw materials for the animal feed industry.
He revealed that “to boost local production in order to reduce imports, Federal Government was encouraging backward integration through commercial aquaculture production for local consumption and export, which is yielding positive results’’.
The Minister added that Federal Government had introduced measures to enable the fisheries subsector gain the desired prominence which include; Establishment of vessel monitoring system (VMS) in Lagos and Abuja to monitor and control illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing along Nigeria continental shelf, Fish farm clusters to increase fish production and engage the teeming youth and women, Fish storage, processing and marketing project to increase shelf life/ keeping quality among others.
He urged the stakeholders to come up with sustainable and practicable Governance strategies for implementation in order to boost Fish production in Africa.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Acting Director, Africa Union – Interafican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), Dr. Nick Nwankpa stated that ‘’the overall objective of the meeting was to discuss ,identify and map initiatives that are relevant and complementary to fisheries and aquaculture activities , agree on framework for internal coordination on issues relating to fisheries ,aquaculture and related disciples’’.
One of the Stakeholders, the European Union Representative, Eulade Mboneye pointed out that the Fisheries Governance Project Phase 2 recognized the importance of institutional collaboration and coordination for the sustainable exploitation, management of fisheries, aquaculture and other blue economy resources.
Mohammed Abdullahi Gana
Information officer II
For: Director, Information (FMARD)
17/06/22
NIGERIAN CIVIL SERVICE THE ENGINE OF GOVERNANCE – DR. ABUBAKAR
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar has described the Nigerian Civil Service as the engine of governance, hence should be celebrated considering the significant role it plays in the society.
This Minister made this known at the Civil Service Award Ceremony held at ARMTI Conference Centre Gudu, Abuja, today, Thursday 16th June, 2022
He said based on the directive of the Head of Service of the Federation for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) to mark 2022 public service celebration before 23 June, 2022, the Ministry has deemed it fit necessary to recognize deserving officers who had distinguished in their duties thereby contributing to the realization of the mandate of the Ministry.
In his words” we should not expect an award on a platter of gold, rather our little contribution in the way and manner we carry out our assignments goes a long way in bring about the desired change and progress” he, however, urged everyone to start changing from within, if that expected change outside were to be realized, the Minister added.
Dr. Abubakar stated that the 2022 award was in three categories namely; Presidential Distinguished Public Service Career Award for Grade level 15 and above, Presidential Merit Award, Grade level 7-14 and Head of Service Commendation Letter award for Grade Level 3-6.
He, therefore, congratulated the Permanent Secretary, the organizers and the awardees for achieving the great feat.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe reiterated that the historic event was in Commemoration of 2022 Civil Service award noting that the selection was based on merit and attitude to work.
He commended the awardees for their hard work, dedication, competence and exceptional level of commitment in the discharge of their duties.
He stressed that “it is expected that this would spur other officers to exhibit similar virtue and be more productive”.
‘’ I also commend the efforts of the standing committee in the Ministry for working tirelessly to see that this event came to a success”, the Permanent Secretary added.
In her remarks, the Director, Human Resources management, Mrs Toyin Alade said that reward for hardwork was more work.
In her words “you have set a standard for others to emulate, believing that you will equally not sustain but surpass the present height you have attained”.
In her response, on behalf of the awardees, the Zonal Director, South West Zonal office, Ibadan, Mrs. Folashade Oguntuyi, stated that the Civil Service is all about having role models/ mentors, who paves way for success.
She, therefore, thanked the Ministers, Permanent Secretary and the organizers for the laudable event.
The awardees included; Director, Animal Husbandry Services Department, Mrs. Winifred Lai. Solarin (Commitment & Dedication to duty), Deputy Director, Cooperative Dept, Mrs. Oguntuyi Folashade, (Punctuality, Commitment & Exemplary Conduct), Senior Cameraman, Information Department, Mr. Ferdinand Nwachukwu (Productivity & Dedication to Duty) amongst others.
Eremah Anthonia (Mrs.)
Assistant Chief Information Officer
For: Director, Information (FMARD)
16/6/2022
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