The Federal government has emphasized that increased agricultural production cannot be achieved without guaranteed access to quality agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, and collective collaboration of all stakeholders.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, made this assertion during the flag-off of Inputs Distribution to Farmers in ATASP states of Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Niger, and Sokoto at Bukunre local government area of Kano state.
Dr Umakhihe highlighted that global challenges like Covid-19, insecurity, and food insecurity have led the government to restructure ATASP-1 to provide initial funding for the implementation of NAGS-AP. The primary objective of NAGS-AP is to improve the production and productivity of staple food crops to mitigate the food insecurity situation in the nation.
Speaking on behalf of Dr Umakhihe, the Director of Planning and Policy Coordinator, Malam Tanimu Ibrahim, explained that the program aims to increase the capacity to produce across the value chain and enhance institutional capacity for increased productivity. NAGS-AP is being implemented through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase One (ATASP-1) funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The program’s objectives align with ATASP-1, including ensuring food and nutrition security, employment generation, wealth creation, attracting private sector investments in agriculture, reducing post-harvest losses, adding value to local agricultural produce, developing rural infrastructure, and enhancing access to financial services and markets for farmers and value chain actors.
ATASP-1 covers 33 LGAs in seven states: Anambra, Enugu, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Niger, and Sokoto, covering a vast land area and a predominantly farming population. It has achieved significant progress in terms of the construction of social and economic infrastructure, training of farmers and extension agents on good agronomic practices, the establishment of demonstration and multiplication plots, and forming value chain innovation platforms and efficient production clusters.
The program has witnessed increased yield for cassava, rice, and sorghum, leading to substantial additions to the national food basket and increased revenue. It has also created jobs and increased the income of program beneficiaries.
The state governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, commended the Federal Government for the initiatives, stating that they are creating avenues for farmers to access loans from reliable creditors.
Agriculture has always been the backbone of the nation’s economy, providing food security, employment, and livelihoods to millions of people.
The National Agricultural Growth Scheme, Agro-Pocket, is a transformative initiative designed to revitalize and revolutionise the agricultural landscape of the nation.
It is a strategic partnership between participating states, the Federal Government, private sector stakeholders, and development partners aimed at driving sustainable agricultural growth and inclusive development.
Under the program, a total of 70,000 farmers in 26 Local Government Areas of the six participating states will be involved in the production of rice, sorghum, cassava, and maize.
The participating states in Phase I of the program include Kano, Niger, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Kebbi States.
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