The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security disclosed that the second phase of the dry and wet season farming interventions will commence this month to enhance productivity and boost food security.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this during the courtesy visit of the Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar Namadi, to the headquarters of the Ministry in Abuja.
The minister reiterated his resolution to make the forthcoming dry and wet season farming for rice, maize, and cassava a resounding success through the implementation of stringent measures to ensure transparent distribution to genuine farmers.
Niger Govt. Signs MOU with AFAN on Dry Season Farming
Kyari called on the relevant stakeholders in the sector to join hands with him in tackling some of the challenges of the ministry to ensure that they do not impede successful interventions and the agricultural development agenda of the current administration.
“As we look forward, 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.
FG Flags Off Dry Season Farming for Wheat in Jigawa
Namadi assured that Jigawa would continue to cooperate with the Ministry to achieve food security in the country, while boasting that the state has nearly 50,000 hectares of wheat under cultivation from the first phase that was kicked off at the Kadume farm cluster in Hadejia, Jigawa State, on November 25.
The governor said the state is currently updating its farmers’ register, and by the time they commence rice dry season farming, they will have a complete data base for rice farmers, disclosing that an additional 104 extension agents have been employed by the state to ensure that farmers are properly guided to enhance food productivity.
