Agriculture
Nigerian Government Commences training of Irish potato farmers on FBS/GAP
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has begun a five-day training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Farmers Business School (FBS) for 60 Irish potato farmers in Katsina State.
Mr Adegoke Adedamola, the Coordinator of, Irish potato value chain in the ministry, at the opening of the training on Monday in Katsina, said they are targeting 3,000 beneficiaries nationwide.
According to him, the capacity building training was organised because the Irish potato is one of the major crops consumed in Nigeria, and 90 per cent of it has been imported.
“Therefore, we felt it is right to see how we can build the capacity of our farmers in northern states that have the capacity and corporate advantage to produce the crop, especially during the harmattan season.
“And we have seen that Katsina had that comparative advantage. That is why we are here to see how we can quickly build their capacity on the FBS and GAP.
“The ministry is collaborating with a German International Corporation (JIZ) to see how we can promote this innovation around the country.
“We have done it in Adamawa, Plateau, Kano States and Obudu, where they have good locations where Irish potatoes can be developed. And we are still going to other states like Taraba.
“As we are building the capacity of our farmers, we believe that they are going to produce more, and we are also going to support them with an improved variety of Irish potato seeds,” he said.
In her opening remarks, the Director, Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA), Hajiya Karima Babangida, said the training was on re-educating Irish potato farmers on farming as a business rather than as a culture.
Babangida was represented by Alhaji Abdullahi Sirajo, desk officer extension, Katsina field office.
According to her, “You would agree with me that for decades, farming generally has been practised from the perception of being a culture of our forefathers instead of being viewed as a profession.
“In the pursuit of food security and nutrition for our country, and if we are to achieve these, we must begin to change the narratives about farming as a culture to farming as a business.
“It is in this regard that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with GIZ, has been a strong advocate for this paradigm shift in our agriculture.
“Further to the foregoing, it is a known fact that Irish potato is a premium cash crop sought after by many here in the country and other West African countries.
“The purpose of this five-day workshop is to bring together Irish potato farmers in a class of 30 each to build their capacity on best practices and simple farming business model concepts.
“In order to increase their technical know-how on the job to stimulate productivity and more income from doing the same job,” she said.
She added that it is important to know that GAP/FBS is capable of starting a potato revolution in Katsina that has the capacity to grow potatoes during the dry season.
“In view of the above, it is important for all participants to make good use of this training to learn and adopt best farm practices and new business innovations that would be taught over the next five days.” she disclosed.
The Chairman, Irish potato farmers in Katsina, Alhaji Salele Malumfashi, commended the Federal government’s efforts in ensuring that its members benefited from various interventions.
He further called on the state government to provide them with enough land so that they can produce the crop in large quantities for the people of the state to use.
“On the issue of orange flesh sweet potato, it is very important we give it more attention because bread bakers in the state need it more but the product is not enough.
“The Sokoto and Zamfara governments have provided our colleagues with lands, therefore we are appealing to the state government to do the same for us,” she added. (NAN)
The Kano State Government has begun implementing the second phase of its livestock empowerment programme valued at N2.3bn under the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP).
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Mamood Danjuma, disclosed this while addressing newsmen on Thursday in Kano.
Danjuma said the initiative aims to support beneficiaries with livestock, feeds, drugs, and salt lick to enhance their economic well-being.
According to him, 911 beneficiaries are being supported with two rams each, feed for three months, drugs and salt lick, while 2,386 women are being supported with two goats and a buck goat in the poorest households in the state.
He explained that the total package under the empowerment programme showed that 1,342 bulls were procured by the government at the cost of N560m, 1,822 rams were procured at the cost of N175m and 7,158 goats bought at the cost of N451m.
“Under the cattle scheme, each cattle gains 100kg over a period of 120 days. The fattening period is for 120 days, making three cycles possible in a year.
“As for the small ruminants fattening scheme, with the same 120-day fattening period yielding an extra 15kg/animal.
“The project promotes goats’ reproduction through women who will take care of the animals and sell the young ones to improve their income and standard of living,” he said.
He said that the programme promotes economic empowerment, particularly among women, by providing them with livestock to care for and sell, ultimately improving their income and standard of living.
Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi, has vowed to sustain free distribution of fertilisers to farmers up to the end of his tenure.
The governor made the promise at Shanga Local Government Area while addressing party loyalists in continuation of his thank-you tour to Local Government Areas of the state.
He observed that sustaining the free distribution of fertilisers to farmers would boost the morale of farmers, increase food production and contribute to national food security.
Idris also pledged to sustain the payment of Hadaya (sacrificial ram) for intending pilgrims in his efforts to assist the pilgrims.
He thanked the people of Shanga for the support and cooperation they have been rendering to his administration.
Speaking on education, the governor said his government would continue to offer free education to the people of Kebbi to pave the way for an educated society.
He recalled that the state government had been providing N175 million monthly for secondary school students’ feeding but now increased it to N300 million per month.
Receiving those who dumped People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for All Progressives Congress (APC), the governor, assured them of equal treatment, insisting that the present administration was for the entire people of the state.
On requests of road construction linking villages in the area, Gov. Idris assured to fulfil the demands to ease movement of goods and people in the area.
In his speech, the APC Chairman in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Kana-Zuru assured the new members that they would be given equal treatment.
He urged the council chairman, commissioner and other political office holders to integrate the new members to give them a sense of belonging.
In a welcome address, Babangida Aliyu, the party Chairman, Shanga Local Government appreciated the governor for bringing development to their area in different sectors.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the occasion also featured formal reception of about 8,000 PDP supporters including local government party exco, delegates and state assembly party candidate, Mustapha for 2019 and 2023 to ruling APC
The Borno Government has announced the creation of Ministry of Livestock and Fishery Development to align its
Development strategy with Federal Government initiatives, and boost the state’s economic potential.
Gov. Babagana Zulum made the announcement on Tuesday during the swearing in of two commissioners at the council chambers of the Government House.
Zulum underscored the importance of livestock and fisheries as vital sectors with untapped revenue potential.
He emphasised that the new ministry would focus on high-yield livestock breeds, milk production and fisheries, targeting both domestic consumption and export opportunities.
The governor said that “no state government can make substantial money in livestock alone, but we believe with the right investment and political will, the sector can generate significant revenue.”
He said that the growing demand for milk by yogurt companies and the proximity of Maiduguri to Asian and Arab markets, are great opportunities for dairy exportation.
The governor, therefore, assigned the Deputy Governor, Dr Umar Kadafur, to oversee the activities of the new ministry, citing his practical experience and passion for livestock development.
He said “livestock development is not just about academic qualifications, it is about practice and the deputy governor has demonstrated capability in that regard.”
According to him, the ministry will prioritise procuring high-yielding livestock varieties, enhancing milk production and creating sustainable rural projects to support
Local communities.
He said that projects in Mafa, Gajiram and in Southern Borno will soon be launched under the new ministry’s purview.
The governor urged civil servants and ministry personnel to take ownership of the new initiative, adding that the ministry’s success would contribute to the states
Long-term economic stability and self-reliance.
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