Minister pledges sustained investment in agricultural production in FCT

Dr Mariya Mahmoud,  Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has pledged the FCT administration’s commitment to sustaining investment in agricultural production in the territory.

Mahamoud said this at the inauguration of the disbursement of grants to beneficiaries of the 4th batch of the FCT Fadama Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (CARES) Programme, on Thursday in Gwagwalada.

She said the initiative is aimed at reducing poverty and improving livelihoods for the poor and vulnerable agricultural households in the territory.

The minister said the FCT Fadama CARES Programme would increase food security and the safe functioning of the food supply chain in the FCT.

She said the programme was designed to support the recovery of livelihood activities of the poor and vulnerable persons engaged in the agricultural value chain, with consideration to women and youths.

According to her, it is gratifying to note that within the first year of the current administration in the FCT, the Fadama CARES programme has disbursed grants to 3,150 beneficiaries under the third batch.

Mahmoud said the programme would provide grants to an additional 6,020 new beneficiaries under the fourth batch.

She said that 9,170 beneficiaries would benefit from the programme during the first year of the current FCT administration.

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA)  has assured Nigerians of their safety in the consumption of TELA Maize.

Mrs Gloria Ogbaki, Head of Information and Public Relations, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

She said that the agency’s attention had been drawn to concerns being raised by Nigerians following the approval and launch of TELA maize in the country.

“NBMA wishes to state that the safety and health of Nigerians are of topmost importance, we will not compromise on this.

“We take into serious cognisance the concerns of Nigerians because maize is a staple crop which is of great importance to the country.

“NBMA is committed to ensuring transparency, safety and unbiased decision-making concerning genetically modified organisms,” she said.

Ogbaki said that the agency conducted a proper risk assessment and analysis of TELA maize to ensure that it was safe for human consumption.

She said that the risk assessment for TELA maize was thoroughly conducted by experts and scientists from the academia and other relevant agencies.

The NBMA information officer said that experts from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Standard Organisation of Nigeria and Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service were part of the certification process.

She further listed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, National Agricultural Seed Council and some university research centres as part of the process.

“They worked with our internal review process and confirmed that TELA maize meets safety standards.

“We urge Nigerians to remain calm and trust in the rigorous evaluation process. TELA maize has been approved based on scientific evidence, its benefits to farmers are significant,” she said.

(NAN)

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, says the ministry has established 164 milk collection centres in the country to boost livestock production and animal health.

Kyari disclosed this in his presentation at the ministerial sectoral update in commemoration of President Bola Tinubu’s first anniversary in Abuja.

He said that the ministry also established animal health centres and veterinary hospital as well as eight cottage feed mills and seven livestock centres across the country.

Kyari said the ministry procured and distributed 14,056,467 doses of anthrax spore, foot and mouth diseases vaccines for risk-based vaccination exercise in 22 high-risk States located in the North-Central, North-West, North-East, South-West and South-South zones of the country.

He said that the ministry organised capacity building of livestock farmers on biosecurity and anti-microbial resistance to safeguard animal production.

Kyari said the ministry equally facilitated the fodder and pasture programme with distribution of 130 Residue crushers and development of 1,848.5 hectares of pastures across states for livestock consumption.

He said the ministry, in a pilot phase, handed over to 15 State governments, 760 tonnes of poultry feed and 70 of ruminant feed for distribution to small holder farmers.

The minister said another achievement of the ministry was the implementation of National Livestock Development Plan on the promotion of grazing reserves and ranching nationwide.

Kyari said in response to persistent food inflation in the country, some measures were undertaken to boost food production.

“We distributed 60,432metric tonnes of improved seeds, 887,255mt seedlings and 138nos. value kits.

“Also, 501,726 litres of agrochemicals, 62,328.5 metric tonnes of inorganic fertilizers, 1,000kg fungicide and 33,200nos equipment to farmers across different value chains to enhance production,” he said.

He said the ministry received 2.15 million bags of fertiliser from the Central Bank of Nigeria for distribution to farmers free of charge.

Kyari said there was also improvement of farmland security with provision of additional resources to agro rangers and other security agencies.

On agricultural produce export, he said there was an increase based on the intensification of efforts for the production and processing of soya beans, sesame and ginger among others.

He also said as part of the ministry’s achievements within one year, it strengthened mechanisation for massive food production.

Kyari said the Federal Government, through the ministry, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with John Deere and Tata Africa to assemble in-country and supply 10,000 tractors with implements and accessories at 2,000 units yearly.

“As well as 100 units of combine harvesters to support production,” he said.

(NAN)