FG, WAAPP launch improved cassava stem

As part of efforts to boost agricultural productivity with improved inputs, the West Africa Productivity Programme (WAAPP-Nigeria) has commenced the distribution of improved varieties of cassava stems to farmers in Benue state, JOHN OBA, writes.

In view of the importance of agriculture and the focus of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to diversify the economy through agriculture and solid minerals, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP-Nigeria) has commenced the distribution of  improved varieties of cassava stems to farmers across Nigeria.
Commencing with the North Central, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh,  while handing over thousands of the improved cassava stems to farmers at the Palace of Ochi Idoma, in Otukpo, Benue state, at the weekend said the zone is the highest cassava producing region in Nigeria, producing over 30% of the total output.

Ogbeh said with the recent flooding in some parts of the country had destructive effects on cassava planting materials as planting materials have become scarce and expensive as the demand for it has outstripped supply, hence the need to distribute newly released improved  varieties that have multiple resistance and tolerance which are out of the reach of farmers to them.
“Today we are here to address some of these very visible challenges and other concomitant issues of unavailability of improved cassava planting materials in this area by this flag off.
“The vision of my ministry is to grow the Nigeria agricultural sector. Specifically,  the vision is to achieve a hunger-free Nigeria through an agricultural sector that drives income growth, accelerates achievement of food and nutritional security, generates employment and transforms Nigeria into a leading player in global food markets to grow wealth of millions of farmers, “ he said.
He said what the ministry is doing will minimise the need for continuous dependence on donors. “For many years we have not had direct contact with the farmers which is what we are doing now. There have been too much gaps between farmers and policy makers. It is now time to merge policies and practice.
“We are going round talking to people as much as possible and hearing their problems and seeing how to mechanise. We want to see how to bring cassava harvesters machines,  another for making yam hips while taking the stress off and bringing young people into agriculture. In the nest few years, Nigeria will have course to be happy and feed the rest of Africa,” he explained
Also addressing the farmers, one of the Palace chief, who represented the Ochi-Idoma,  Chief Anteni Adejor, commending government’s gesture said the Idomas have no other occupation the farming saying if well supported the Idomas are able to produce food to feed the country.
Encouraging the youth to get involve in farming, he said with the increase in the price of food items now, farmer have course to smile to bank.
“Go into farming and stop complaining of no job, there is respect in farming now as farmers can at least feed themselves and their families,” he explained.
He further urged that government, to make farm inputs available on time additional get the herbicides should also be made available to farmers before farming seasons end.
Filing question from newsmen, the Acting National Condinator,  Mr. James Ocheme Apochi, said the aim of WAAPP is to develop technologies and disseminate the same for adoption that will lead to increase in agricultural Productivity while building capacities.
He said WAAPP with its objectives is actually supporting the minister of Agriculture I line with the change mantra of this administration.
“WAAPP initial target was to reach one million farmers but that it has surpass that has it has reach over 1.8 million farmers adding once the second phase of WAAPP is approved, the programme with be upscale to reach every part of Nigeria.

“This improved varieties of cassava stems that we are giving them today should be planted, you will see that it will yield better because we have research into it and I am looking forward to meeting with you so that you can give me testimonies the yield and the income it will generate,” he explained
He said the target of the project includes 40% women since the World Bank has directed that women should be involved.
“The youth are our target, because in the process of disseminating the technologies we are talking about, we are using adopted village concept and by this we have instructed all our stakeholders to adopt five villages each around them, and our targets are the youth. We have adopted schools, we started with about 50 schools and have upscale up to half a million schools giving them the technologies and teaching them on best agricultural practices, so we are catching youth young and sensitising them to go into agriculture. And in collaboration with the University of Ibadan,  we have being training on aquaculture,  even to processing and packaging. And after the training they were given a smoking kin,” he stated.
Apochi stated further that WAAPP in collaboration with the University of Agriculture,  Mauritius in the execution of three projects which includes, fisheries fingerlings multiplication, cassava stem multiplication and adopted villages extension programme.
One of the beneficiaries from Agatu,  Mr Oche David Agbo, appreciated the gesture of the government saying his people are known farmers, urging that such distribution should continue.
“We need serious present of the government in Agatu, we want the government to come and introduce mechanise farming, we want to farm in large quantity. The era of hoes and cutlass is over. Our vision is to be able to feed Nigeria amd if that is to come to pass we need mechanise farming.
“We want more of this, if I go to my local government now with this cassava, I know how people will flock to get part of it,” he said.