August 2023 – Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security

31/08/2023

Agricultural Sector Food Security and Nutrition Strategy

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27/08/2023

FMAFS LAUNCHES NAAHS TO ENHANCE AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH AND IMPROVE AQUACULTURE SECTOR

In a bid to address the challenges bedeviling the Aquaculture Sub Sector, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has launched the National Aquatic Animal Health Strategy for Nigeria (NAAHS) 2023-2027, to enhance effective delivery of robust Aquatic Animal Health Services and improve Production, Processing and Marketing in the Aquaculture Sub Sector.

Speaking during the event that took place at the Sandralia Hotel Abuja recently, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, represented by the Director, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Dr. Ime Umoh said that the implementation of NAAHS would minimize the negative impacts of aquatic pathogens, protect the health of human population and boost the resilience of both marine and terrestrial ecosystems in the country.

He added that the Plan would promote international trade of aquatic animal species such as aquaculture fish, shrimps, and water snails among others.

Dr. Umakhihe stated that the development of a comprehensive aquatic animal health strategic plan would address some of these challenges in the aquaculture sector and provide roadmap for improved and safe fishery production as well as productivity in Nigeria.

In his words, “the launch marks a significant milestone in nation’s commitment to the well-being of our aquatic ecosystems, the prosperity of our aquatic industry and exploration of the great potentials of the industry towards food and nutritional security’’.

The Permanent Secretary lauded the efforts of Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services and its Developmental Partners like the Food and Agriculture Organization – Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (FAO-ECTAD), African Union-InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), ECOWAS-Regional Animal Health Centre (ECOWAS-RAHC), World Health Organization (WHO) for spearheading the development and validation of the National Aquatic Animal Health Strategy Plan.

He urged the relevant stakeholders to embrace the strategy, support and actively participate in its implementation, in order to harness the potentials of aquatic resources for common good of all Nigerians.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria/Director, Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services, Dr Columba Vakuru said that the Strategy would fast-track Research and Innovation in Aquatic Animal Health, encourage Investment in Innovative Research to develop new Diagnostic Tools, Vaccines and Treatments for Aquatic Diseases.

He revealed that Diseases affecting aquatic animals could have severe consequences for our food and nutritional security, economy, public health, and the delicate balance of our aquatic ecosystems.

He added that ‘’ by prioritizing the health of our aquatic animals, we are safeguarding our economy, protecting public health, and preserving our natural heritage for future generations’’.

Speaking on the Overview of the National Aquatic Animal Health Strategy (NAAHS), Staff of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Dr Gbolahan Oladosu revealed that NAAHS consisted of Fifteen Programmes with Twenty Nine Associated Projects and Activities that would be implemented over a period of five years (2023-2027).

He added that the Implementation Plan would be revised and renewed at the end of the third year 2025.New Programmes and Projects could be added based on the Progress made through completion of Projects.

He further revealed that NAAHS would contain the National Action Plans for short, medium and long term phased implementation based on national priorities.

Highlight of the event was the official launch of National Aquatic Animal Health Strategy in Nigeria (2023-2027)

In attendance were Members of Aquatic Veterinarians Forum, National Fish Association of Nigeria, Premium Aquaculture among others.

Ezeaja Ikemefuna
AD, Information
For: Director Information (FMAFS)
27/8/2023

22/08/2023

I’M READY AND WILLING TO COMMIT 100 PER CENT TO THE SERVICE OF THE NATION- SEN. KYARI

The Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) Sen. Abubakar Kyari, CON, has pledged his readiness and willingness to commit 100 per cent to the service of the nation to mitigate the issues of food insecurity, flooding among others and enhance production.

The Minister stated this on assumption of duty in his office, in Abuja, recently.

He stated that the challenges in the Agricultural sector is not insurmountable which has propelled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to declare emergency in food security, noting that the “Renewed Hope Agenda” would see to the hope and commitment in him to revive and secure the nation’s food and nutrition security .

In his words, “Our target is not only to secure and feed the country but also to export food, we have the potential and is there, ready to be tapped”, the Minister stressed.

The Minister therefore expressed his profound gratitude to the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, CON, for his support and commitment to service both in the State and the country at large.

In his congratulatory statement, the Executive Governor of Borno State commended both Ministers pointing out that the two Ministers need to put heads together to ensure that Nigeria is food secured not only in terms of quantity but also in quality.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, CON, stated that the task before the Ministry was a daunting one, which all hands must be on deck to make Nigeria self –sufficient.

Present at the occasion, was the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, CON, some members of Borno State House of Assembly, family members and friends amongst others.

Highlight of the event was the handing over of the Ministry’s documents by the Permanent Secretary, FMAFS, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe to the Hon. Minister Sen. Abubakar Kyari, CON.

Eremah Anthonia (Mrs.)
Chief Information Officer
22/8/2023

17/08/2023

UMAKHIHE CALLS FOR SEAMLESS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PILLARS OF FCSSIP-25 TO ENHANCE SERVICE DELIVERY, OTHERS

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) called for Seamless Implementation of all the Pillars of Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025 (FCSSIP-25) to enhance Service Delivery in the Civil Service.

The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the Director, Reform Coordination Service Improvement & Innovation (RCSI &I), Dr. Dunoma Ahmed gave the charge at the occasion of the Bi-monthly Service-Wide Meeting of Directors of Reform Coordination at Agricultural Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI) in Abuja, recently.

Dr. Umakhihe stated that it was worthy of note that the Department of Reform Coordination is generally saddled with the responsibility of driving the reforms in the Service, hence the platform would serve as an avenue to share experiences, ideas amongst Directors of Reform Coordination and provide ample opportunity to brainstorm, bring up new and creative ideas for enhancing service delivery and productivity in the workplace service-wide.

In his words, “the department is now re-positioned, with the creation of the Innovation Division, to vigorously pursue the implementation of the current reform strategy namely the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025 (FCSSIP-25), You are all aware that the FCSSIP-25, consisting of six (6) prioritized initiatives (Pillars), is a vehicle for delivering transformation of the Federal Civil Service for effective and efficient service delivery”.

He also revealed that under his leadership, the Ministry (FMAFS) had been at the forefront of driving the FCsSIP25 and indeed all civil service reforms. “I am also proud to state that the Ministry has won many awards and accolades for its commitment to the reform agenda, the recent one being the Award for the Implementation of the FCSSIP25 and especially the Enterprise Content Management (ECM) awarded during the commemoration of the 2023 Civil Service Week”.

Speaking further, he pointed out some activities the Ministry had carried out in pursuit of the reforms, which had gone a long way, not only in re-positioning the Ministry for effective service delivery but also motivating staff for higher productivity.

He therefore enjoined the participants to put all hands on deck to vigorously drive the reforms, through innovative ideas to re-invigorate the Civil Service for higher productivity.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office (SPSO) Olufemi Oloruntola revealed that the meeting was the third edition and the purpose was to deepen and intensify the ongoing reform process, pointing out that the reality of the current reforms was evident in the palpable transformation that the MDAs are witnessing.

In his words, “A good work has been done, but more work still has to be done on all the six pillars of FCSSIP25. It is remarkable that some MDAs are blazing the trail in their implementation of needed reforms. The OHCSF has continued to carryout quarterly performance tracking of MDAs implementation of FCSSIP25 reforms”.

“While some MDAs are populating their reporting templates seamlessly, some others are having difficulties rendering reports on their performance. In all of this, the Directors of Reforms have important roles to play to ensure that their MDAs are up to date on the FCSSIP25 implementation matrix”.

“As you must have noticed, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation issued commendation letters to some Permanent Secretaries during this year’s Civil Service Week. Officers who are from these MDAs should consider themselves part of the team commended. We all must strive to receive such commendation”.

“It is instructive that today’s meeting is the first since the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) was inaugurated, and the focus of this meeting is on how to consolidate the gains of FCSSIP25 reform under a new climate,” he added.

The Permanent Secretary ,SPSO also revealed that the new administration is looking-up to civil servants to assist in delivering the “Renewed Hope Agenda”, pointing out that “We must therefore, dig deep and come up with endearing innovations to prove our capacity to deliver”.

Highlight of the event was the paper presentations on the Management of Change in Political Transitions, Capability Building and Talent Management to suit the peculiarities of the MDAs.

Eremah Anthonia (Mrs.)
Chief Information Officer
For: Director Information (FMAFS)
17/8/2023

07/08/2023

ANTHRAX: FMARD DONATES FREE 50,000 DOSES OF VACCINES TO LASG

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) has donated Free 50,000 Doses of Anthrax Vaccines to the Lagos State Government (LASG) to mitigate the spread of the Anthrax Disease to Animals and Human and ensure the Safety of the Livestock Sub Sector

Speaking during the Courtesy Visit to State Ministry of Agriculture at State Secretariat Ikeja, Lagos recently, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, (FMARD), Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe represented by the Deputy Director Veterinary and Pests Control Services, Dr. Abdulkareem Durosinlorun said that donation of the vaccines would fast track Vaccination of Animals against Anthrax Disease and ensure that the Butchers sales Healthy Meat as well as Safeguard the Livestock Sub Sector.

He stated that anthrax, an infectious zoonosis disease, caused by bacteria affects both domestic and wild animals and can also affect human especially those working closely with infected animals.

He pointed out that the bacteria, which exist as spores, can be found in the soil, wool or hair of infected animals.

He added that animals can be infected when they breath in or ingest spores in contaminated soil, plant or water. And humans can get it when they inhale or breath in the spores, eat contaminated meat, or come in contact with the skin through wounds or cuts while handling a sick or dead anthrax infected animal.

Dr Umakhihe appealed to the State Government for Robust Public Awareness and Sensitization Engagement among Stakeholders towards Prevention and Control of the Disease in Lagos State.

In his words, ‘’ the essence of our visit is to create awareness and sensitization among stakeholders in the prevention and control of disease in Nigeria.

“We have also provided 50,000 free dosage of the Anthrax vaccine to the state in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

“The cattle merchants and butchers need to know the symptoms and signs of this disease so that they can immediately alert the veterinary authorities, he added.

He emphasized the need to mount surveillance in slaughter slabs, abattoirs, livestock markets and at the point of entries in the state to detect the disease early before it spreads.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Ibironke Emokpae, appreciated FMARD for its support in curtailing the spread of the Anthrax Disease in the State.

She revealed that “Vaccinations have begun in the state and we have set up surveillance and biosecurity at point of entire of abattoirs in Lagos to detect any ailing animal.

“We are collaborating with the Lagos Ministry of Health and promise to put in more efforts to prevent the spread of the disease,”

Mrs Emokpae further revealed that “Lagos State has developed a house to house vaccination campaign because it is an urban area where some people do urban farming. Lagos State is taking the vaccination campaign to urban livestock farmers’’.

While on Sensitization visit to Oko-oba cattle market and abattoir, Agege, the Chairman Miyetti Allah Cattle Association, Alhaji Abdullahi Lalega pledged the commitment of the Cattle Merchants and Butchers towards the fight against the Disease.

He affirmed that they were aware of the disease and would ensure adherence to safety measures, promising to give all necessary support to ensure that the disease is curtailed.

In his reaction, the Country Team Leader, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Nigeria, Dr. Otto Muhinda, commended the State Government for its initiatives in creating awareness of the disease and prevention measures.

He added that “we have seen that the awareness is very high, we appreciate the way the people, local authorities, butchers and the cattle merchants are aware of this outbreak’’.

“We look forward to continue the monitoring in other states, we need to sensitize more stakeholders on national level for a national strategy to stop the spread of the disease’’.

Highlight of the event was the Vaccination of animals in urban Farmers Association at Surulere, Lagos state.

Also, the Permanent Secretary’s representative led the Advocacy Visit to Ashogbon Meat Market, Lion Unisco Abattoir Bariga and Urban Farmers Association at Surulere, Lagos State.

In attendance were Veterinarians from FMARD, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services, Staff of NCDC, Ministry of Environment and ECTAD – FAO, Lagos State Butchers Association, among others.

Ezeaja Ikemefuna
AD, Information
For: Director, Information (FMARD)
7/8/2023

02/08/2023

FG COMMENCES DISTRIBUTION OF FARM INPUTS TO FARMERS ACROSS NORTH WEST REGION

In a bid to boost Food and Nutrition Security, attract private sector investment, reduce post-harvest losses, as well as add value to local agriculture produce, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development via the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agropocket (NAGS-AP) has commenced the distribution of subsidized farm inputs to small holder farmers across the North Western States.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony held at Bunkure Local Government Area, Kano State, recently, the Executive Governor of Kano State Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf stated that NAGS-AP was being implemented through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase One (ATASP-1) of the Federal Government of Nigeria funded by African Development Bank as a Pilot phase to pave way for successful implementation of the forthcoming Policy Based Operation.

The Governor who was represented by his Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalem pointed out that, “Policy Based Operation (PBO) was a Sector Budget Support (SBS) operation prepared under the African Emergency Food Production Facility (AEFPF) funded through a loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to be Implemented across the 36 states of the Federation and FCT for a period of two years beginning from 2023.”

He added that the objective of NAGS-AP was synonymous with the objectives of ATASP-1 to include; ensuring attainment of food and nutrition security, contribute to employment generation and wealth creation of the targeted beneficiaries along rice, sorghum and cassava value chains on sustainable basis, attract private sector investments in agriculture.

He revealed that the benefiting communities are from Bunkere Rano, Bagwai, Dawakin Kudu, Bebeji and Garun Malam Local Government Areas of the State.

In his keynote address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe represented by the Director, Projects Coordination Unit Department (PCU), Mr. Bukar Musa stated that the event was very important for the Ministry as it would drive to boost agricultural production and guarantee access to quality agricultural inputs such as fertilizer, seeds, pesticides whose distribution is being flagged off.

He pointed out that, “the program is targeted at supporting 60,000 farmers in the five ATASP-1 5 States with highly subsidized inputs to help increase their production level and achieve economic well-being, while also contributing substantially to the national agricultural product output.”

He noted that, “Government is committed to paying 80% of the total cost of the input package, while each participating farmer is expected to pay the 20% balance for the redemption of his/her inputs at the Redemption Centre”.

Dr. Umakhihe added that, “In order to increase the level of transparency, accountability and efficiency in the input delivery process, the Government this year approved the introduction and use of ICT platform for delivery of the inputs to farmers, making this year’s program a very notable one.”

He revealed that Farmers had been interfaced with and Helpline Staff who will man the Platform had also been sufficiently trained and Supervisors of the inputs delivery activities at the Redemption Centers had also been appointed and engaged.

He added that, “The ICT platform, known as the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS & AP), will therefore be used by the government for the delivery of the inputs to farmers in this exercise and in the future.”

He therefore urged the benefitting farmers to ensure full utilization of the inputs in their various farms in order to increase their farm output which will translate into increased farm income and encourage all the players to resist any temptation of inputs round-tripping, as anyone caught doing so will be treated in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Earlier in his remarks, the National Programme Coordinator, ATAPS 1, Dr. Ibrahim .M. Arabi, stated that the Global challenges of Covid-19, insecurity as well as food insecurity had informed the Government to restructure ATASP-1 to provide an initial funding for the implementation of NAGS-AP with the primary objective of improving production and productivity of staple food crops to mitigate the food insecurity situation of the Nation.

He added that, “the program has been able to record tremendous progress in the past years of its operation such as, Construction of social and economic infrastructure – primary schools, community health centers, boreholes and hand pumps, VIP latrines, community markets among others.

He reiterated that, “NAGS-AP will be implemented in five states namely Niger State, Kano State, Jigawa State, Sokoto State as well as Kebbi state noting that the crops being promoted are Rice, Sorghum, and Maize.

Highlight of the Event was the Symbolic Flag Off of Distribution of Farm inputs to Small Holders Farmers by the Executive Governor of Kano State.

In attendance was the Kano State Commissioner of Agriculture, Traditional Rulers and other Relevant Stakeholders like All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Fertilizer Producers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN), Nigerian Agro Input Dealers Association (NAIDA)

Obe M. Mabel

Principal Information Officer

For, Director Information (FMARD)
1/8/2023