By Aminu Garko
Wheat
Jigawa, The federal government has reaffirmed its determination of enhancing the development of the agricultural sector aimed boosting food production in the country.
The minister of Agriculture and food security Senator Abubakar Kyari disclosed this during the Flagg off ceremony of the 2023/2024 Dry season farming under the national agricultural growth and agro-pocket in Kadume,Hadejia local government area of Jigawa state.
He said the dry season farming is an integral part of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and AgroPocket (NAGS-AP) Project, made possible by a $134m loan facility advanced to Nigeria by the African Development Bank(AfDB) and encapsulates this Administration’s resolve to expand the capacity of our farmers to engage in the cultivation of key staples like rice, maize, cassava and wheat, across the country.
Senator Abubakar Kyari explained that the aim is to increase crop yield by at least 20% compared to the previous year.
“These high value staples will be joined by others like soybeans and sorghum in the wet season. Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, our farmers remain our most prized assets as a Nation, given that they produce the bulk of the food consumed in-country. As such, His Excellency Mr. President has charged us to ensure that they are adequately supported to increase their productivity”
“we have set ambitious targets. In wheat alone, we aim to support between 150,000 to 250,000 farmers with 50% input subsidy to cultivate between 200,000 to 250,000 hectares and an expected yield of 1,250,000 tonnes of wheat. Other selected staples are earmarked for similar, varied support, all aimed at significantly reducing food inflation, as well as Nigeria’s dependence on foreign import, while increasing domestic consumption.”
The minister maintained that the gesture will promote agricultural self-sufficiency and stimulate economic growth.
“To achieve our goals, government is committed to ensure that the support does get to the farmer. Accordingly, the Program will be Technology enabled, thus guaranteeing transparency and accountability in the provision of the subsidy and other support services like extension, insurance and additional finance.”
“I would like to point out that we are deploying heat tolerant wheat varieties like Borlaug 100; Attila etc. Furthermore, we will progressively invest in irrigation infrastructure projects to optimize water usage and mitigate the challenges posed by the dry season.” the minister added
in his remark governor Mallam Umar Namadi,of Jigawa state said the 12-Point Agenda of his administration entails enhancement of food security, economic diversification, job creation, provision of sustainable means of livelihoods for the citizens, and overall poverty reduction.
” under our 12-Point Agenda our visio. is to ensure full exploitation of the Jigawa State’s agricultural potentials through all-year round production by bringing more of our fadama lands under cultivation, gradual expansion of our irrigation facilities, and mobilizing our teeming youths into Agriculture and its entire value chain.”
“let me on behalf of the people of Jigawa State and on behalf of the thousands of farmers that will participate in the wheat program that comes from all over Nigeria, express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Federal Government. Not just for choice of Jigawa State and the extent of project coverage, but most especially for the packaged support to be provided to farmers to ensure the success of the project “Governor Namadi added
He noted that the Hadejia Valley Project, which was initiated by the Late Shagari Administration in the early 1980s, is still less than 25% completed after almost four decades.
“Following a flag-off of the project performed in 2018, it is noteworthy that earlier this year, former President Muhammad Buhari has commissioned the successful completion of a segment of the Project covering about 6,000 hectares.”
” There is no doubt that has significantly contributed to our quest for food security, job creation, and economic diversification. Despite this significant stride, however, there is still a long way to go considering the Project’s potentials.”
” It is my prayer that the Tinubu Administration will make history by completing the project 100
