As the Federal Government commences the implementation of dry/wet season farming in rice, maize and cassava, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has assured that the administration is committed to addressing the issues of round-tripping and poor validation of farmers’ data.
This according to him is to ensure transparent distribution and target genuine farmers and that collaboration with states, local governments, traditional rulers, NGOs, and relevant MDAs will be crucial in achieving the desired objectives.
The Minister made this known during a courtesy visit by the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar Namadi to his office, in Abuja on Friday.
He stated that the visit signifies the strong partnership between the State and the Federal Government in the collective efforts to ensure food security and development of agriculture in Nigeria.
Sen. Abubakar expressed appreciation to the Governor of Jigawa State for his remarkable successes in the preparation of farmlands and distribution of agricultural inputs in the ongoing wheat Dry Season Farming under the NAGS-AP programme.
He recalled that on the 25th of November, 2023, the Executive Governor, the Emir of Hadejia and other dignitaries warmly received some management staff of the ministry at the official flag-off of the 2023/2024 dry season farming at the Kadume farm cluster in Hadejia.
He also extended his profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unwavering support in the quest for food security in the country, adding that the ministry is focused on ramping up massive production of staple crops using technology and mechanization to achieve the goal.
The minister pointed out that, “It is imperative for us to tackle some of the challenges observed and ensure that they do not impede our agricultural development agenda”.
“These challenges include reported cases of round-tripping in connivance with agro-dealers and poor validation of farmers’ data in parts of the participating states” noting that the case of Jigawa State was remarkably different.
Speaking further, he stated that the Ministry was fully committed to addressing the issues and equally determined to implement stringent measures in the forthcoming dry/wet season farming for rice, maize and cassava to ensure transparent distribution to genuine farmers.
He therefore urged all stakeholders in the agriculture sector to overcome the challenges and ensure a successful intervention despite the time constraints.
In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar Namadi, commended the Ministry for all the support and confidence reposed in Jigawa State.
He said his visit was a home – coming, pointing out that “I am here on behalf of the people and farmers of Jigawa State”.
The Governor also commended the Federal Government for giving Jigawa State the largest share of hectares for wheat production during the Dry Season Farming under the NAGS-AP programme. He said in total, the state already has nearly 50,000 hectares of wheat under cultivation.
He assured that Jigawa State will continue to cooperate with the Ministry to achieve food security in the country, pointing out that presently, Jigawa State was updating its farmers register and by the time they commence the rice dry season farming, they would have a completed data base for rice farmers.
