Echono hails NABG’s $1.8b agric investment

NaijaAgroNet

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sonny Echono, has commended the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG) for their projected $1.8 billion, about N358.2billion investment to assist smallholder farmers in 22 states of Nigeria, NaijaAgroNet reports.

“Your recognition that smallholder farmers are the largest private sector group in Nigeria has helped to foster economic growth in rural Nigeria as you provide guaranteed take-off markets for millions of smallholder farmers across the country.

“Sixteen of you have committed to invest in agriculture and agribusiness across 22 states of Nigeria a total $1.8 billion. Turning these commitments into real investments will undoubtedly help to create jobs for our teeming youth population and women and help to lift millions of farmers out of poverty”.

According to Worldstageonline, Echono stated this while addressing the first annual general meeting of the NABG in Lagos. He added that the group had helped to foster economic growth in Nigeria through the provision of take-off grants for smallholder farmers, NaijaAgroNet gathered.

“We are better positioned for inclusive growth where small, medium and large farmer groups will co-exist to generate wealth for millions of Nigeria and the unemployed youths and women. We have ended the dominance of government and I am optimistic that the private sector will lead Nigeria in restoring its past glory in agriculture,” He said.

 “I am confident that the group will continue to attract viable local and foreign direct investments into agriculture and agribusiness together with our Development Partners and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).” 

Cyriacus Nnaji/ED,OPs

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Pix:Sonny Echono,

Nigerians walk for 2014 World Food Day

NaijaAgroNet:

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on October 13, 2014 commemorated this year's World Food Day beginning with a sensitization walk around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), reports NaijaAgroNet.

The exercise in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) commenced with a walk sensitization to commemorate the activities lined up for this year’s World Food Day in Nigeria began from Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to Federal Secretariat, Abuja.

The Director, Planning and Policy Coordination at the Ministry, Mrs. Rabi Idi Adamu, who stood in for the Honourable Minister, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, told NaijaAgroNet the theme of this year’s World Food Day is “Family Farming: Feeding the World, Caring for the Earth.”

Also, Dr. Akinwumi said that the theme of this year’s World Food Day is apt, because of the roles families play in food production and Agricultural Transformations world over to facilitate food production and Animal Husbandry, especially for the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) which has recorded tremendous strides.

NaijaAgroNet recalls that the time table for the activities of this year include a walk sensitization of staff of the Ministry and FAO officials, Ministerial Press briefing, School Debate, Photo/ Book Exhibition, Symposium and Novelty Football March between ATA Bombers and GES Attackers.

 
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Adesina applauds GEJ over 2013 agric budget

The Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has applauded the proposed 2013 budget for agriculture, presented last Wednesday to the joint session of the National Assembly by President Goodluck Jonathan.

This is coming as there will be a five-year tax holiday for sugarcane and sugar value chain investors, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

NaijaAgroNet recalls that President Jonathan had proposed the sum of N81.41 billion for agriculture in the 2013 budget.

Speaking on the budget to his ministry, Dr. Adesina told  that the amount allocated showed that President Goodluck Jonathan was confident that the sector could once again be the driving force of the economy.

NAN reports that allocation increased by less than three per cent over the current appropriation which stood at N78.9 billion.

The Federal Government also announced a number of measures aimed at boosting the Agricultural Transformation Agenda.

Jonathan, while presenting the budget to a joint session of the National Assembly, said that there would be a five-year tax holiday for sugarcane and sugar value chain investors.

The president added that the machinery and spare parts imported for local sugar manufacturing industries would attract zero per cent import duty starting from January 2013.

He also said that the import duty for rice would be increased to encourage local rice production.
Adesina, however, said that the issue of budget was all about how the allocation was utilised.

He explained that a total of 7.8-billion-dollar private sector funding had been injected into the sector.

``In addition to that we have been able to get so many local companies to process agriculture produce.’’
He said that through the Federal Government’s initiatives on cassava, rice, maize and soya beans about 8.1 million metric tonnes of food would be added to domestic supply.

He recalled that President Jonathan had promised that his administration would add 20 million tonnes of food to domestic supply by 2015, adding that this was only the first year.

``That is about 41 per cent of what we are targeting for in 2015. So we are working very hard.’’ Adesina said.

He promised that the ministry under his leadership and that of  Alhaji Bukar Tijani, would ensure that Agriculture Transformation Agenda achieved its aim.
 
Remmy Nweke with agency report
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NDE to partner youths to increase youths' interest in agric

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in partnership with the Society of Youths in Agriculture (SYA) is set to reawaken youths' interest and agriculture and allied business.

NDE Director General, Malam Abubakar Mohammed said the directorate is ready to collaborate with SYA through the empowerment of youths by providing skills and tools to start agricultural business.

Commenting on the gesture of the directorate, SYA President, Bakere Oladimeji affirmed that the objective of the society is to pave way for an avenue for change in the social order while contributing significantly towards building the nation.

Oladimeji said there is a serious disconnection between youths in Nigeria and agriculture business.

NaijaAgroNet gathered that NDE DG adopted SYA as a development partner that the two bodies would collaborate in rural and integrated farming.

Malam Mohammed advised members of SYA to boost their advocacy and sensitization, and also partner their immediate communities.

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