NEWS
Food Security: AFAN Calls for Early Distribution of FG’s Subsidised Inputs
The Kaduna State Chapter of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has commended the Federal Government for subsidising inputs for dry season farming.
Alhaji Nuhu Aminu, the state AFAN Chairman, who made the commendation in an interview on Wednesday in Zaria, however, said subsequent distribution of the inputs should be made early.
He said that the implementation of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP) initiative has been well handled so far, and urged the government to sustain and up-scale the initiative to strengthen food security and job creation.
NAN reports that the NAGS-AP targets smallholder farmers to enhance food production in Nigeria.
The chairman added that the recent distribution of inputs to wheat farmers through the NAGS-AP, indicated a promising result in wheat production in the country.
“Under the initiative, the Federal Government subsidises dry season wheat farming inputs by 50 per cent under its National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP) initiative.
“For dry season wheat farming, a beneficiary is required to deposit N180,500, representing 50 per cent of the total cost of the inputs to qualify for the subsidy.
“Over 90 per cent of the beneficiaries had redeemed their inputs and planted the wheat within time; the government intervention has greatly augmented their personal efforts,’’ Aminu said.
The AFAN chairman said to sustain the likely gains, government must ensure early distribution of inputs in subsequent programmes covered by NAGS-AP, which include rice, maize, and other commodities.
Aminu also said government should create additional windows where a farmer who needs inputs for half a hectare can get, instead of only those cultivating a hectare as presently captured under the NAGS-AP.
According to him, this will encourage more smallholder farmers to key into the initiative.
Aminu further said federal and state governments should work closely to ensure that only genuine farmers benefit from the programme.
He explained there was a little mix-up during the disbursement of wheat farming inputs where names of members of other commodities associations who did not apply, got redemption codes for wheat farming inputs.
“This explained the need for more close working relationship between the states and federal government,’’ Aminu said.
The chairman said the initiative was in line with the yearning of AFAN on empowering smallholder farmers, who are the largest food producers in Nigeria.
“The NAGS-AP prevents farmers from becoming debtors and other exploitations experienced during the Anchor Borrowers Scheme; it links farmers with genuine improved seeds and other inputs, as well as agro-dealers,” he added. (NAN)
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday.“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the UK, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings,” said the statement.The high-level General Debate, with the theme, “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,”will run from Sept. 24, to Sept. 28. (NAN)
The National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger.
Wushishi said that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, representing 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.
The registrar said that 1,367,736 candidates sat for the examination, representing 702,112 Males and 665,624 females.
He said that 828, 284 candidates had five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, representing 60.
55 per cent.Wushishi said that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, were 1,147,597, representing 83.90 per cent.
He said that there was a great reduction in the number of examination malpractices this year compared to 2023.
“The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437 as against 12,030 in 2023, which shows a reduction of 30. 1 per cent,” he said.
The registrar, however, said that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.
” During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 40 schools were found to have been involved in whole school (mass) cheating in 17 states.
” They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.
“A school in Ekiti was recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and 01 Science subject.
” Similarly, 21 Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness and negligence in 12 states,”said.
He urged candidates that sat for the examination to visit NECO website to access their results.
Wushishi said candidates can access their results on NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” he said.(NAN)
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it is committed to advancing projects and programmes that enhance food security and sustainable growth in the region.Chief Monday Igbuya, the Delta representative on the NDDC Board, made this pledge in a statement issued on Thursday in Port Harcourt by the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama.
Igbuya spoke at the inauguration of a training and empowerment programme for women and youths in livestock and agro processing in Amukpe, Sapele area of Delta. He stated that the NDDC was prioritising livestock training in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.“NDDC is focussed on implementing programmes to ensure food security and agricultural growth in multi sectors, aiming to improve living standards.“It is our belief that for socio-economic development to take place, there is need to develop manpower in the agricultural sector,” he said.Igbuya expressed confidence that training farmers would enhance livestock production, create jobs, and alleviate poverty in the Niger Delta.Mrs Winifred Madume, NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, said that training farmers and entrepreneurs was essential for improving productivity and market access.“The commission has been promoting research and development through various institutions and providing farming techniques to beneficiaries,” she said.The Project Consultant, Dr Simon Akhaine, said that 200 women and youths had registered for the livestock and agro-business skill acquisition programme.According to him, the programme aims to equip them with the essential knowledge and skills for self-sufficiency in livestock farming, thereby boosting regional food security. (NAN)
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