NGF reveals strategies by states to enhance food security

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has explained how its members are adopting strategies designed to their states’ agricultural strengths and vulnerabilities.

In a document by its Head of Publication, Halimah Ahmed, the NGF on Tuesday detailed that state governors were taking targeted actions based on their regions’ specific needs.

The document noted that these efforts involve working closely with state governments, federal authorities, and international organisations.

“As Nigeria grapples with the pressing challenges of food insecurity, governors of 36 states of the federation have responded with unique strategies tailored to their specific agricultural strengths and vulnerabilities.

“From the drought-prone states of the North to the floodplains of the South, state governments, in collaboration with federal authorities and international organisations, are making concerted efforts to combat hunger and improve agricultural productivity.

“The North-West, the Northwest states, known for its vast expanse of arable land, states like Kano, Jigawa, Zamfara, and Sokoto have focused on bolstering the production of staple crops such as rice, millet, and sorghum. Through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, thousands of smallholder farmers have received financial support and inputs to scale up their production,” the document reads in part.

The document disclosed that Kano State had adopted a strategy that includes developing several key plans: the Kano Irrigation Masterplan, Kano Livestock Masterplan, Kano Poultry Masterplan, Kano Small Ruminant Masterplan, and Kano Fisheries Masterplan.

The strategy involves distributing agricultural inputs such as improved rice, maize, and sorghum seeds to subsistence farmers across 44 local governments.

“Rehabilitation of Tertiary Irrigation Canals, with 3,288 farmers as beneficiaries at the cost of N292 million. They facilitated the introduction of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone programme by the African Development Bank worth $130 Million to promote the production of Rice, tomato, groundnut and Sesame seed.

“Also, rice production initiatives can be made by expanding irrigation systems. With water resources from the Tiga and Challawa dams, farmers can cultivate rice during both the rainy and dry seasons. Additionally, Zamfara State has invested in mechanized farming and fertilizer distribution to boost yield while addressing post-harvest losses,” it stated.

The NGF noted that earlier this month, the Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, led a delegation to Kigali, Rwanda, to attend the National Food Systems Summit 2024 which focused on food sovereignty and agricultural resilience.

As seen in the document, Namadi emphasised his commitment to a 12-point agenda centred on agriculture, including the Rice Millionaire Project, the Wheat Project, and Special Agro-processing Zones to drive agricultural transformation.

The document read in part: “The North-East, ravaged by a decade-long insurgency, has struggled to maintain food production levels. States like Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa have been hit hardest by food insecurity, as ongoing conflict has displaced millions of farmers and destroyed farmland.

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“In response, the Borno State government, alongside international organizations like the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP), has initiated several programs to restore farming activities in safe areas. The FAO’s “Green Shoots” project, for example, provides displaced farmers with seeds, tools, and training to rebuild their agricultural livelihoods. Additionally, Yobe State has invested in climate-smart agriculture, introducing drought-resistant crops like cowpeas and millet to adapt to changing weather patterns.

“Despite these efforts, the North-East continues to face an acute food crisis, and humanitarian organizations remain critical in delivering emergency food aid to vulnerable populations.

“The North-Central region, comprising states like Benue, Niger, Kwara, Kogi and Nasarawa, remains the agricultural heartland of Nigeria. Often referred to as the country’s “food basket,” Benue, in particular, is known for its abundant production of yams, cassava, and maize, which feed a significant portion of the country.”

The document also highlighted that state governments are prioritising improvements in storage facilities to minimize post-harvest losses that have long affected farmers. Through public-private partnerships, Benue and Niger have constructed modern silos and cold storage units, enabling farmers to store their crops for longer durations.

The NGF stressed that these initiatives have received backing from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the World Bank’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda, which aims to boost Nigeria’s food self-sufficiency.

“In the South-West, states like Oyo, Ogun, and Ekiti are turning to technology to improve agricultural productivity. The Oyo State government, in partnership with private tech firms, has introduced drone technology for precision farming, allowing farmers to monitor crop health, detect pests, and optimize irrigation.

“In Ogun State, the Abiodun government is simply in a class of its own. Governor Abiodun recently flagged off the harvest of the 200-hectare rice farm at Magboro in Obafemi Owode LGA of the state. In just three months, the farm cluster yielded 1,400 tonnes of rice. Projected to bring in N1bn in revenue every three months, the project will now be scaled up to guarantee revenue in the region of N10bn-N25billion.

“The World Bank-assisted project meant to ensure the increased participation of the private sector in the economic development of Gateway State, which is the brainchild of the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project. farmers were sensitised and aggregated into ten groups that constituted the rice cluster, and the government supported them with 65 per cent of the cost of land preparation or mechanisation, while they contributed the rest.

“On the other hand, it has focused on agribusiness, encouraging youth participation in agriculture through programs like the Youth in Agribusiness initiative. This scheme provides training in modern farming techniques, access to finance, and links to markets, aiming to reduce unemployment and improve food production. The trainees who were mostly graduates, were trained on horticulture,cassava processing, poultry value chain,” the document noted.

According to the document, the South-South region, known for its extensive river systems and coastal areas, has adopted aquaculture as a primary approach to address food insecurity.

It also noted that, in response to declining wild fish stocks, states such as Rivers, Bayelsa, and Cross River have invested in fish farming as a sustainable alternative to traditional fishing methods.

It stated: “South-East: Revitalizing Poultry and Cassava Farming In the South-East, agriculture is experiencing a renaissance, with states like Anambra, Imo, and Abia investing heavily in poultry and cassava farming.

“Imo State has launched a Cassava Revolution program, which provides farmers with improved cassava varieties and access to processing equipment, aimed at increasing output and reducing post-harvest waste. Their Enugu counterpart is putting all hands on deck to ensure the full provision of food storage facilities, which is in tandem with the agricultural policies of the state government.”

The document also stated that South East states are enhancing road infrastructure to improve the transportation of goods to markets. Improved roads lead to faster access for consumers and decreased spoilage of perishable items, which helps farmers increase their earnings and strengthens food security.

“While Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones face unique challenges, from conflict and climate change to infrastructure deficits, each region has developed tailored approaches to combat food insecurity. As these initiatives continue to evolve, they offer hope that Nigeria can build a more resilient agricultural sector capable of feeding its growing population and reducing dependence on food imports,” it added.

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