The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Farming

  • Farming: Nigeria’s path to $1tr economy

    Farming: Nigeria’s path to $1tr economy

    The Federal Government is aiming to build a $1 trillion economy under its long-term development plan by boosting income per person to $33,000 and attracting at least $100 billion in yearly investments, largely from the private sector.

    This will happen under the country’s Agenda 2050, a national plan that looks into the future, while a faster target under the Renewed Hope Agenda is aiming to reach the $1 trillion economic mark by 2030.

    Both plans, according to government officials, are now being brought together in the 2026–2030 medium-term development framework.

    Speaking at the Nigeria Agribusiness Group 2026 Presidential Agricultural Policy Dialogue in Abuja, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, said agribusiness holds a key place in Nigeria’s push to diversify its economy, grow the private sector, and create opportunities that benefit people across the country.

    He said the government is ready to work closely with investors and producers to open up lasting opportunities across the entire agricultural value chain, from farming to processing and marketing.

    Bagudu admitted that the country is still far from reaching its ambitious targets but stressed that the administration is focused on putting in place the right environment to attract the level of investment needed to move the economy forward.

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    “This Government has demonstrated its willingness through policy support, strategic financing, and partnerships aimed at modernising agriculture, livestock development, fisheries, and agro-processing,” he said while delivering his address as the guest of honour at the event.

    The minister explained that Agenda 2050 is not just a government document but a national framework developed with the input of the private sector, public institutions, state governments, and civil society groups, all working towards a shared vision for Nigeria’s future.

    He assured policy experts, business leaders, and civil society organisations at the dialogue that President Bola Tinubu’s administration will use its Renewed Hope Agenda, which he described as based on practical thinking and shared responsibility, to drive the goals of Agenda 2050 and move the country closer to its long-term economic dreams.

  • Communication, key to Nigeria’s farming success

    Communication, key to Nigeria’s farming success

    • By Michael Adedotun Oke

    Sir: The Nigerian farmer is not merely a recipient of aid; he is a partner in food security. Yet, a fundamental flaw continues to hobble the agricultural sector: a systemic lack of commitment to relevant discussion and a vast, unproductive communication gap between the policymakers and the people on the land.

    This disconnect has inadvertently become a formidable “bad government force,” stifling progress and ensuring that well-intentioned plans fail to translate into practical success.

    While government agencies generate agricultural plans, the realities of farming practices—the soil conditions, localized pest issues, and market fluctuations—often remain unknown or unaddressed by those crafting the policy. These results in a wide gulf: resources are deployed based on assumptions, not grounded intelligence.

    To bridge this crucial gap, there must be a necessary and committed two-way flow of pertinent information.

    The failure often stems from the top-down nature of information sharing. Currently, there is insufficient pre-flow of information from the government to farmers regarding upcoming policies, input distribution schedules, or quality standards. This leaves farmers unprepared and vulnerable.

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    Equally important, and often neglected, is the flow of information from the farmers back to the government. Farmers are the ultimate experts on the ground. Their daily struggles, logistical choke points, and feedback on input quality are critical data points that must inform future planning and budgeting. Without this necessary feedback loop, government efforts are doomed to perpetuate the same mistakes year after year.

    For the agricultural sector to make genuine progress, we must institute a system of disciplined and continuous engagement. These discussions are not just helpful; they are essential for creating a stable value chain.

    Structured dialogue must be embedded into every step of the planning process, ensuring:

    Timely Feedback: Establishing formal channels for farmers to report issues (e.g., poor seed quality, delayed fertilizer delivery) immediately, allowing for real-time correction.

    Policy Clarity: Ensuring that complex government programs are distilled into clear, actionable advice for farmers, respecting their language and capacity.

    Local Context: Allowing regional agricultural officers to gather and relay data on local environmental factors and production challenges, enabling flexible plan adjustments.

    It is only through dedicated commitment to open communication that we can convert strategic plans into tangible, successful outcomes for the Nigerian farmer and, by extension, secure the nation’s food future. The next season’s success starts not just with seeds, but with serious conversation.

    •Michael Adedotun Oke,

    Garki, Abuja. 

  • Stakeholders call for investments to boost smallholding farming

    Stakeholders call for investments to boost smallholding farming

    African leaders and experts are intensifying pleas for significant investment in smallholder farmers across the continent, warning that inadequate support jeopardises food security and economic development.

    Across high-level gatherings , a consensus has emerged that  a fundamental shift in funding and policy is crucial to unleash the vast potential of small-scale agriculture, which remains the bedrock of food production in sub-Saharan Africa.

    At the “Scaling Finance for Smallholder Farmers in Africa” conference in Nairobi, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, advocated for smarter subsidies focused on boosting production rather than consumption.

    “We must not subsidise consumption—subsidize production.

    When you subsidise production, the output goes up, and the cost of dealing with challenges like food insecurity goes down,” Kagwe declared. He cited Kenya’s successful fertiliser subsidy program as an example and stressed the importance of involving farmers directly in policy design to ensure effective and equitable interventions.

    Echoing these sentiments, Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, had underscored the necessity of robust infrastructure for agricultural transformation. He referenced the  Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) initiative, backed by the African Development Bank, which aims to stimulate inclusive agricultural growth through infrastructure clusters like roads, power, and processing plants.

    Speaking at the 2025 launch of the UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation in Addis Ababa, Acting Director of the Trade Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Melaku Desta, emphasised the critical need to align agricultural development with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). “SMEs and smallholder farmers must be equipped to benefit from intra-African trade,” Desta stated, noting that Africa’s trade facilitation measures have improved but still fall short of optimal levels.

    UN Under-Secretary-General, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, further reinforced this, highlighting that climate shocks and trade disruptions necessitate Africa building resilient, digitised trade systems that include marginalised groups such as women and rural farmers.

    In Lagos, a National Stakeholders Consultative Meeting on the 2026 Agriculture Budget, organised by ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with GIZ and ECOWAS Commission, raised serious concerns about the declining share of agriculture in the Federal Government’s national spending.

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    Despite contributing over 22 percent to the gross domestic product( GDP), the meeting noted that  the sector is projected to receive a mere 1.2 percent of the national budget this year , a significant drop from 4.2 percent in 2024 and far below the 10 percent targets set by the Maputo and Malabo Declarations.

    Participants warned that this underfunding severely hampers the nation’s ability to combat hunger, malnutrition, and rural poverty.

     Of particular concern was the revelation that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) received no capital expenditure disbursements during the second quarter of this year, raising questions about project implementation.

     The conference heard that the Federal Government has distributed 200,000 cassava bundles covering 60,000 hectares and over 2 million bags of fertiliser and agrochemicals at subsidised rates. Additionally, the Central Bank of Nigeria contributed another 2.15 million bags of fertiliser under its agricultural intervention schemes.

    Efforts, the conference heard, are also underway to improve rural infrastructure, a perennial constraint for smallholder farmers. Stakeholders heard that ongoing projects span 183,225 kilometers of rural roads, 222 solar-powered boreholes, 12 water treatment plants, and over 15,000 solar-powered streetlights aimed at improving productivity and rural security.

    To complement this, the Federal government has deployed 10,000 Agro Rangers across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory to combat farm-level insecurity—a growing threat in the country’s food-producing belts.

  • Exploring Nigeria’s untapped potential in date farming

    Exploring Nigeria’s untapped potential in date farming

    Ibrahim Adam in this report explores the economic potentials of date farming as a major cash crop

    On the strength of improved agricultural practices and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration’s agricultural development reforms, especially those targeted at supporting agribusiness, Nigeria’s agro-processing industry, particularly date farming and processing, is on the rebound. This heart-warming development aligns with the current administration’s resolve to spearhead an agricultural resurgence, by ensuring that Nigeria’s soil, once pushed to the back seat following the discovery of oil, bounces back as the foundation of a new era of prosperity.

    Now, Nigeria’s date farming and processing appear to be manifesting the success of that renewed charge to return the country to her age-long agrarian heritage, where food security, job opportunities for farmers and processors alike, and the nation’s sustainable growth are guaranteed.

    Apparently encouraged by the Federal Government’s sustained assistance by way of massive investment in technology, mechanisation, smallholder farmer empowerment, agricultural inputs, and of course, the activities of operators across the date farming and processing value chain, Nigeria is already offering the finest quality dates and date-based products to consumers both locally and internationally.

    Traditionally cultivated in northern Nigeria, date farming has long been a part of Nigeria’s agricultural heritage, with the country, according to records, producing over 250,000 metric tons annually.

    However, at the heart of a resurgent industry that has seen remarkable growth in recent years, with capacity to significantly increase its annual production output, is intentional investment in technology, sustainable sourcing, and global market expansion by various operators across its value chain, of which have combined to position Nigeria as a key player in the international date industry.

    Pioneering efforts by local businesses

    Leading the renewed charge in what is clearly a private sector-led push to claim a spot for Nigeria in the lucrative international date industry is Datesstore Limited, an international enterprise specialising in producing innovative and superior, organic and natural date by-products.

    Driven by a passion for promoting healthier, natural food options and making them accessible to a global market, Datesstore Limited, which started out as a personal health choice, quickly evolved into a passion for promoting the nutritional and cultural significance of dates. Based in Sokoto State, Northwest, Nigeria, the company was born with a vision rooted in quality, authenticity, and innovation.

    Overcoming challenges in the industry

    Indeed, the company started out as a personal journey of health and discovery, but has since blossomed into a thriving business, elevating Nigeria’s presence in the global agro-processing sector. Recalling how it started, its Executive Manager, Olatunde Mustapha, said a near-fatal accident led him to re-assess his dietary choices upon medical advice a few years ago.

    “After a series of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests, the doctor advised me to avoid carbonated and caffeinated drinks for a fast recovery. That led me to search for a healthy alternative to refined sweeteners, and that’s when I found dates,” he told The Nation.

    Mustapha emphasised that: “Our goal is to introduce dates as a sustainable and nutritious alternative to other snacks.”

    Although, the company has been in operation for several years, transitioning from a behind-the-scenes venture to a market-facing brand, requiring strategic planning, dedication, and adaptability, Datesstore Limited, under Mustapha’s watch and guidance, has continued to push boundaries, from developing new date-based health products to expanding into new territories.

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    The Executive Manager, whose background blends expertise in agriculture and business, has been instrumental in steering the company toward success. However, the success hasn’t been a stroll in the park; there have been challenges, one of which is brand awareness.

    “Despite years of experience, the company lacked visibility in the competitive health food market. We knew we had a great product, but getting people to recognize the brand was a different challenge altogether,” Mustapha admitted.

    However, he pointed out that: “We had to be intentional about marketing, from rebranding to digital campaigns. Also, significant investments were also made in brand development, including new packaging, a professional website, and targeted digital marketing campaigns.”

    Ensuring a seamless supply chain was another major hurdle. The thing is that as demand increased, the company needed to streamline its sourcing, maintain consistency, and guarantee timely deliveries.

    “Scaling up operations and ensuring that we could meet the demands of a global market required streamlining our supply chain, sourcing high-quality dates, and maintaining consistency in product delivery. We had to form strong partnerships with trusted farmers and invest in technology to monitor our supply chain,” Mustapha said.

    “We collaborated with industry experts and regulatory bodies to ensure that all of our products met the necessary safety, health, and quality standards. The journey was tough, but it was worth it,” he said.

    Expanding global presence

    The Nation learnt that the company prides itself on utilising exceptional quality dates from various species for its manufacturing processes. With presence both domestically and internationally through 17 major distributors as well as numerous smaller outlets across different states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the company has managed to set itself apart by leveraging its unwavering commitment to maintaining unparalleled levels of quality control while also providing prompt delivery services facilitated by their partnership with logistics companies throughout Nigeria.

    Indeed, other date farming and processing ventures in Nigeria that have seized the opportunity created by the present administration’s agricultural reforms to propel their growth and position themselves as major players in the global date-based food sector owe their successes to several strategic factors.

    For instance, their unwavering commitment to quality has been central to their operations. From hand-picking premium dates to employing advanced preservation techniques, the companies ensure that every product meets the highest standards.

    “Quality is everything to us. If the dates don’t meet our strict criteria, they don’t make it to the market. It’s that simple,” stressed Akanni Wahab.

    According to him, this localised adaptation has helped the company establish a foothold in foreign markets, particularly in the Middle East and Europe.

    His words: “We understand that different markets have different preferences, so we customize our products accordingly. That has been one of our biggest advantages.” He also said embracing technology allowed the company to scale efficiently. He stated that by leveraging e-commerce platforms, digital marketing, and customer relationship management tools, the company has been able to reach a global audience with ease.

    “Technology has been a game-changer for us. With online sales, we can now reach customers in different parts of the world without opening physical stores,”Wahab.

    That’s not all. Strategic partnerships have also been instrumental in the company’s rapid footprints. Through collaboration with distributors, retailers, and logistics providers, it has expanded its market reach and ensured efficient distribution.

    “Without strong distribution partners, we wouldn’t be able to meet the growing demand. It’s all about building the right network,” Mustapha explained, adding that the company also prioritised supporting local farmers, ensuring they have the resources and market access needed to thrive.

    By sourcing directly from farmers, the company ensures fair pricing and empowers small-scale agricultural producers: “Beyond just purchasing dates, we are committed to improving the livelihoods of farmers and their communities. We invest in rural development programs, such as building local infrastructure, improving healthcare, and supporting women in agriculture,” he added.

    Beyond business successes, operators in the agro-processing segment of the agric industry, particularly date farming, have made a tangible impact on Nigeria’s agricultural sector and economy generally. For instance, they have provided employment opportunities across various levels, from farming to processing and distribution.

    Also, by sourcing directly from local farmers, they have ensured fair pricing and empowered small-scale agricultural producers. Also, through training initiatives, the operators educate farmers on best practices, helping them increase yield quality and sustainability.

    Additionally, their efforts in agro-processing have also contributed to Nigeria’s export diversification, bringing in foreign exchange earnings and positioning the country as a key player in the international date market. Although the Nigerian market presents unique challenges, from transportation difficulties to fluctuating exchange rates that affect international expansion, operators in the sector have been proactive in addressing these by working with reliable logistics partners and leveraging technology.

    Other key players in the industry

    However, Datesstore Limited is not a lone ranger in the date farming business. Women Multi Agro Services Limited, another operator, is also at the forefront of Nigeria’s date farming industry, leveraging its expertise in farming, cultivation, and agro-processing to create high-value products. The company’s commitment to quality and sustainability has earned it recognition under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) 50 Million African Women Speak Project, reinforcing its mission to empower women in agribusiness.

    One of its flagship products, date powder (also known as date sugar), is a game-changer in Nigeria’s food industry. Made by drying and grinding dates into a fine, nutritious sweetener, date powder offers a natural alternative to refined sugar. Packed with antioxidants, fiber, and essential minerals, it has continued to gain traction as a preferred ingredient for cereals, beverages, and sugar-free baking. And by sourcing dates directly from its farms and processing them in its facilities, Women Multi Agro Services Limited ensures quality control while boosting the local economy.

    While the company’s expansion into international markets has contributed in enhancing Nigeria’s agricultural export profile, creating new revenue streams and job opportunities for farmers and processors alike, Brisk Global Concept Ltd also has its eyes set on claiming a chunk of the lucrative date market.

    Future prospects for Nigeria’s date industry

    Accordingly, through its innovative agro-processing, it has been a key player revolutionizing Nigeria’s date farming sector. The company specialises in natural date-based sweeteners, and has been redefining the health-conscious food industry with its premium product, Ovanab Date Syrup.

    Ovanab Date Syrup is a nutritious, all-natural sweetener widely used in cooking, baking, and beverages. As a healthier alternative to refined sugars, it supports the growing trend of wellness-focused food consumption. By maintaining strict quality and authenticity standards, Brisk Global Concept Ltd is not only catering to domestic markets but also expanding Nigeria’s footprint in the global natural sweetener industry.

    Its investment in date processing infrastructure is a significant boost to Nigeria’s agro-processing value chain. By refining raw dates into high-quality syrup, Brisk Global Concept Ltd enhances value addition, reducing post-harvest waste while increasing profitability for farmers.

    This strategic approach aligns with Nigeria’s broader economic goals of diversifying non-oil exports and strengthening agricultural sustainability. On the expansion front, Brisk Global Concept Ltd, and indeed, other operators in the segment, boast ambitious plan to enter new markets, introduce innovative products, and strengthen their online presence. Accordingly, collaborations with major e-commerce platforms, The Nation learnt are on the horizon to make products more accessible to a global audience.

  • Residents take to farming

    Residents take to farming

    To curb hunger and strengthen food security, Iwaya residents in Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State have gathered to learn approaches to subsistence farming  to experience self-sufficiency in food production.

    The initiative, by Dr. Segun Oshile, had the theme: ‘Subsistence Farming: A Means to Easing Hunger in Nigeria’.

    At the event in the palace of Olu of Iwaya, Oba Sulaiman Ogun-Oloko, Oshile said the meeting was a grassroots effort to tackle food insecurity by giving individuals hands-on farming skills and awareness of opportunities, bridging the gap between needs and agricultural potential.

    He noted the potential of small-scale farming to address food insecurity and poverty.

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    Oshile said: “Even without farmland, individuals can participate in agricultural value chain.”

    He added that by marketing local produce or growing food on a small scale, families could support themselves.

    Keynote speaker, Dr. Alabi Adekunle, explained how subsistence farming could benefit households.

    He said: “Starting with small steps as raising chickens or keeping fish, can make a difference.”

    Vice-President of Innovative Youth Farmers, Ikorodu, Mr. Tayo Odeyemi, said participants could tailor their efforts to their interest and space.

  • Minister promises to back dry season farming

    Minister promises to back dry season farming

    Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Abdullahi Sabi, has announced plans to support farmers in the dry season to aid food production.

    Sabi,  who visited a farm cluster in Bwari Area Council  in Abuja, assured farmers of government backing.

    The minister, in honor of World Food Day 2024, distributed 50 bags of fertilisers, 30 sprayers, and 10 organic sprayers, to local farmers.

    He noted government’s commitment to back-to-back farming, saying “next month, dry season farming will begin as wet season winds down.

    “We’ll support irrigation farming through partnershipwith stakeholders as Federal Ministry of Water Resources, and National Agriculture Growth Scheme under the agro-pocket programme.”

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    The visit to the farm cluster was part of the World Food Day celebrations, to evaluate the progress of farm clusters.

    He noted: “We have been working with clusters of farmers, and it’s important to see the operations on ground. In Bwari, we saw cowpea and rice fields, and it’s heartening to witness activities, especially after the security challenges.”

    Abdullahi said the developments align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, saying the progress seen in the field is promising for the nation’s food security.

    In addition to supporting farmers, the minister noted plans to revitalise young farmers’ clubs in secondary schools, in collaboration with First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.

    He stressed importance of engaging youths in agriculture to ensure they understand value of food production.

  • Ekiti raises committee to boost livestock farming

    Ekiti raises committee to boost livestock farming

    Ekiti State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support project (L-PRES) has inaugurated its Grievance Redress Committee to address complaints or any issue arising from the implementation of the project.

    Members of the committee include; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Olugbenga Odesanmi (Chairman), L-PRES State Project Coordinator, Olayinka Adedipe (Secretary), Anthony Alope, Ajakaye Isaac and Tunde Balogun.

    Speaking at the inauguration yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the capital, Odesanmi said the initiative would help address grievances and concerns related to the L-PRES project implementation.

    He said the panel was saddled with the responsibility of proper handling complaints from stakeholders as well as effective and efficient monitoring of the implementation of resolutions.

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    The chairman added that the committee had the mandate to receive, investigate and analyse grievances and concerns based on facts and information to ensure fairness and proffer solutions, in order to make acceptable decisions.

    He said the committee would discharge its responsibilities without fear or favour in ensuring the success of the project implementation in the state.

    L-PRES State Project Coordinator, represented by Mr Muyiwa Adelodun, said the committee served as components three of the project, which was targeted at addressing conflicts at the grassroots.

  • Residents cry as torrential rains cut off farming community in Taraba

    Residents cry as torrential rains cut off farming community in Taraba

    Peva town, in Taraba state’s Takum local government area, a farming community has been cut off from economic activities due to flood, residents say.

    The Nation learnt that Adu, a nearby village, thrives economically by being closely connected to Peva’s market and serves as the agricultural hub supplying agricultural products to the market weekly.

    However, this critical connection has been severed by relentless rains, which have washed away the road linking Adu to Peva, plunging the community into isolation and economic hardship.

    Tertsea Chieve, a resident of Adu, lost his rice farm to the floodwaters that cut off the village from Peva market.

    While reflecting on the sad development, Ugan said: “The rains came swiftly and fiercely, overwhelming Adu with a deluge that local elders describe as unprecedented.”

    The road, which once meandered through rolling fields and past small homesteads, succumbed to the forces of nature. Torrents of water cascaded from the hills, eroding the soil and undermining the roadbed, eventually causing large sections of the road to wash away.

    “This is the worst rain I have seen in my life”, Chieve lamented. The road has never been in great shape, but it was our only link to the market. Now it’s completely gone.”

    The destruction of the road has far-reaching implications for Adu, a community where agriculture is the mainstay of local livelihoods. Farmers who relied on the Peva market to sell their crops and purchase essential supplies now face the grim reality of economic isolation.

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    Terkula Mnguve, a big-time farmer and businessman who lamented the development said: “We don’t have any alternative routes available, so we are forced to undertake arduous and costly journeys often through neighbouring communities, just to reach Peva.

    “The cost of transportation has increased tremendously, making it almost impossible for many to sell their goods at a profit.”

    Tersoo Mela, an economist and lecturer at the Taraba State University, said the impact of the damaged road extends beyond economic losses.

    According to him, the road was also a vital conduit for essential services, including healthcare, education, and supplies.

    “With its collapse, residents are cut off from these critical services. I was told that one Mr. Samuel Tordoo lost his wife who was being transported to Peva during labour. Because of the damaged road, they took a long path and before they could arrive at Peva to access medication, she died on the way due to complications.

    “That road and many other rural roads in the state need to be fixed quickly, or many lives will be at risk.

    “For many families, the road also serves as their access to education, as children from Adu attended schools in Peva. With the road gone, the daily journey to school has become an insurmountable challenge, threatening to disrupt the education of dozens of children.

    Dr. Chiega Mela, the chairman of the Elders’ Forum for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the area, in a telephone interview with journalists called for urgent help and determination from the authorities to rebuild the damaged road.

    “We are a hardworking community, and all we ask is for the government to help us rebuild this road. It’s our lifeline. Without it, our future is uncertain,” Mela pleaded.

    Hon. John Ali, the chairman of the Takum local government council, confirmed the road’s destruction by torrential rains and promised to mobilize resources and personnel to restore access.

    “I received the report of the flooded road last night. The road is important to the people, and we cannot allow it to remain destroyed. I will mobilize resources and men to the area to ensure there is access for now before taking further steps for proper construction,” Ali assured.

  • ‘Urban farming will ensure environmental sustainability’

    ‘Urban farming will ensure environmental sustainability’

    Nigerians must embrace urban farming if the country must attain food sustainability, experts have said.

    Dr. Olalekan Pereira-Sheteolu, who spoke at the 2023 symposium for Environmental Bees Club Handlers (EBC), said families must return to homestead farming for its many advantages to humanity.

    The symposium is organised by the Environment Education Unit (EEU) of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.

    Pereira-Sheteolu, who spoke on ‘Home/School/Urban Gardening for Environmental Sustainability’, described environmental sustainability as ‘the ability to maintain an ecological balance in our planet’s natural environment, and conserve natural resources to support the wellbeing of current and future generations’. He listed benefits of home/school/urban to include better nutrition through food diversity, all-year-round availability of food (food security), environmentally-friendly production, minimal/no use of synthetic agrochemicals, quality health and efficient nutrient recycling system.

    He added: “With the country’s situation now, food sustainability is the way to go. Food sustainability is what you and I can bring to the table that will go a long way in helping us. Inflation is going off and beyond the reach of the common man, so we have to convert the little spaces in our compound to gardens.

    “We must engage in homestead farming and produce variety of food, from food crops, vegetables, even snailery, poultry, and the likes, such that we do not go to the market all the time to buy. This effort will ensure food sustainability for our families, improve our nutrition and help with income generation.”

    Permanent Secretary (Environmental Services) Tajudeen Gaji described the symposium as ‘a platform for EBC Handlers to share ideas on issues relating to the environment, and cascade knowledge gained to members of the club.

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    “The annual symposium for EBC Handlers in schools is a commitment to ensure environmental sustainability in schools, using bottom-up approach. I thank the EBC Handlers for their exemplary leadership, commitment, dedication, hard work, and excellent support as you all have played a pivotal role in catching the members young, motivating them to be environmentally-literate, and become environmental ambassadors and change in their communities and state at large,” he added.

    Director of the EEU Mrs. Monsurat Banire noted that integrating environmental education into school activities is vital because it necessitates moving awareness into action through capacity development and practical exposure to environmental challenges and awareness about the environment.

    She noted that the symposium will afford the handlers to ‘learn facts about the environment and be part of the change agents in our society while catching them young’. “The programme is focused on the need to bring back farming to our society using the homes, schools and limited urban spaces for small scale farming for sustainable lifestyles. It is also a way of mitigating against the effects of climate change.

    “Our facilitator has inspired us to have a mindset change to become urban farmers in our very little spaces at homes, schools and communities. This is a train the trainers’ symposium because our handlers will have to engage their pupils, neighbours and communities to become environmentally-literate, and ensure participation in urban farming to guide against the devastating effects of climate change.”

  • Fed Govt flags off dry season farming

    Fed Govt flags off dry season farming

    • To subsidise input by 50 percent

    The Federal government will today flag off the 2023/2024 dry season farming in Jigawa State.

     This is part of measures to combat food inflation in the country and as a direct response to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of emergency on food security earlier in July this year.

     The Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, who made this known in a statement by his Technical Advisor (Strategic Communication), Kingsley Osadolor, said the government would also be subsidizing agricultural inputs by 50 percent.

    According to the statement, the Minister will lead several other dignitaries to Hadejia, Jigawa State, where the ceremony will take place. A range of agricultural inputs, including seeds, fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides, will be delivered to farmers at the occasion.

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    The Nation learned that the 2023/2024 dry season farming is being boosted by an African Development Bank facility and implemented under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP) project.

     The implementation is ICT-driven with earlier steps taken to geo-locate farmlands, enumerate, register, and cluster no fewer than 250,000 farmers.

     The dry season farming is expected to take place in all the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory. One critical requirement among others is availability of irrigable land where the dry season farming will take place.