The FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP-AF) has distributed tricycles worth millions of naira to rural farmers in Kogi to enhance their livelihoods and ensure food sufficiency in the state.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Timothy Ojomah, at the flag-off on Wednesday in Lokoja, said the gesture was part of government’s efforts toward empowering its citizens, especially rural farmers.

Ojomah expressed confidence in the Gov. Ahmed Ododo-led administration to continue to assist the rural farmers through the VCDP activities for maximum agricultural production in the state.

Ojomah, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Abdulsalam Segir, said that government would not rest on its oars to provide farmers with inputs to boost their production.

According to him, the farmers will consistently be provided with farm equipment, fertilisers, chemicals and other machines that will assist them in their farming activities.

The commissioner, who reaffirmed government’s commitment to enhancing the well-being of the people of the state, advised the beneficiaries to be meticulous in handling the tricycles to serve them better.

He commended the achievements of Kogi VCDP, under the leadership of Dr Stella Adejoh, assuring that government would continue to give necessary support to the programme.

Earlier, Adejoh, the State Programme Coordinator (SPC) of IFAD-VCDP, said that the initiative was to boost the general wellbeing of farmers as well as ensuring beneficiaries’ full commitment along the production, processing and marketing value chain.

Adejoh expressed optimism that Kogi government would continue to take proactive measures to support and create enabling environment for the programme to thrive in the state.

The state programme coordinator urged the beneficiaries to make proper use of the tricycles to improve their well-being, stating that the gesture was targeted toward their good and that of their families.

“No one should think of selling his/her tricycle because the programme has put in place monitoring mechanism to forestall such,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chairman, Gaskiya Cluster, Mr Bala Musa, appreciated IFAD/ VCDP, Kogi government as well as Federal Government for always supporting farmers in the state.

Musa promised that the beneficiaries would use the tricycles for intended purposes, adding that they would not take the opportunity for granted.

“We assure you that all our efforts will be channelled into the proper maintenance of the machines for our own benefits,” he said.

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)