From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Federal Government has secured a 12 billion Japanese Yen loan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to boost food production under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP).
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari, in a statement at the weekend by the Chief Information Officer, Eremah Anthonia, thanked JICA for the swift intervention.
Kyari noted that the facility will be utilised on three components, namely: enhancement of rice seed quality, improvement in delivery of farm inputs, quality extension services, and enhancement of private sector participation in the production of agricultural inputs.
He stated that the rice seeds production project, domiciled in the National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, Niger State, under the Ministry, was strategic in enhancing the research and development for breeding of high-yield, disease-resistant varieties that can withstand climate variability.
“We will do our part under the technical cooperation with NCRI and include the National Agricultural Seed Council, NASC, to add value to the seed ecosystem.
“While enhancing seed quality is crucial, we recognise that knowledge dissemination is equally important.
“Our partnership on market-oriented agriculture promotion with JICA on the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) project from 2020 to 2024, covering 14 states in Nigeria, to include Nasarawa, Benue, Osun, Ogun, Kogi, FCT, Taraba, Jigawa, Edo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Cross River, Gombe, and Kebbi, has empowered smallholder farmers and has served as a bridge between research and practice, ensuring that farmers are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive,” he said.
Speaking further, he stated that the ministry would leverage technology to enhance extension services, using mobile applications to provide real-time information on weather patterns, market prices, and pest outbreaks to make informed decisions and adapt to challenges more swiftly.
He emphasised that implementing emergency food security measures, enhanced rice seed quality, and expanding extension services are not just initiatives. Rather, they are commitments to the future of our communities and nation.
The Minister noted that, working together with JICA, researchers, NGOs, and farmers, “we can create a sustainable and resilient agricultural system that ensures food security for all.”
In his remarks, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Abdullahi Sabi Aliyu, reiterated that JICA had always been supportive and their assistance would not be taken for granted.
He pointed out that the seed issue was very key because President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has always said, “Plant the right seed, then you can feed the entire nation, so seed is key to our food security problems,” Sen. Abdullahi stressed.
Earlier, JICA Director General, Economic Development Department, Takao Shimokawa, expressed gratitude for the long-standing collaboration between the Ministry and JICA.
He stated that JICA would continue to prioritise the collaboration towards ensuring economic prosperity and food security in Nigeria, noting that JICA is fully aligned with the Ministry’s mandate.
“Today I take advantage to report the recent progress of JICA assistance in the agricultural sector in three key areas to include food security, announcing that the first disbursement of the loan has been paid yesterday.
“Now, we are proceeding to supervision and monitoring of the fund utilisation,” he said.
He emphasised that JICA and Japan were fully committed to rice production in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, which is the largest producer of rice, pointing out that the new grant project would provide the machinery for rice production, for which the procurement process is about to commence.