Emmanuel Oduara
Reforms to Increase Agriculture Production our Priority - VP Shettima
....The Nigerian government are generally committed to courageous reforms aim at increasing agricultural production.
This was reaffirmed by the the Nigerian Vice President, Kashim Shettima. Representated by his Special Adviser on Agribusiness and Productivity, Kingsley Uzoma at the official Launch of 'Soil Values, ' held on Tuesday 16th April in Abuja Nigeria.
"Marking the stating of 10 years of intervention, collaboration and impactful innovation, MAINSTREAMING SUSTAINABLE SOIL MANAGEMENT IN THE SAHEL. Supported by the Dutch General Directorate for International Cooperation (D.G.I.S).
"To address the persistent challenges soil fertility in sahelian region, namely Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Ghana amd Cote d'Loir. To strengthen agricultural resilience to climate change with emphasis on regional networking and strategic interventions.
"The Dutch General Directorate for International Cooperation with International Fertilizer Development Center soil values aims to increase fertility and foster sustainable agricultural development over the next decade and uplift the livelihood of 1.5 million small-scale food producers.
In 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organisation said no fewer than 26.5 million Nigerians may face a food crisis between June and August 2024.
The international body said states such as Borno, Sokoto, and Zamfara, including the Federal Capital Territory, were at a bigger risk.
Jennifer Linkletter, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor (GESI), SNV Dutch Development Organisation.Jennifer Linkletter,
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor (GESI).
SNV Dutch Development Organisation.
"Who was at the panel discussion spoke on the need of building mechanism to strengthen national institutions in implementating agricultural production systems that will improve soil fertility and foster healthy life style of the gender equality.
"She encouraged partners to Institutize mechanism to effectively harmonize ways of soil and health of women and those living with disabilities.
When answering questions from the media men.
"She made a strong ceas equality in Agriculture gaps in small holder fameesin food production, appealing to the men folks in allowing women have asses to productive resources such as technical support/ knowledge, finances,lands and technical support as this will remove these barriers in helping them get to there full potentials.
"She also made mentioned, the different kind of disability which could be invisible, visual and physical disabilities as this is important to note, in fashoing the best ways to reach out to them.
The FAO country representative, Dominique Kouacou, attributed persistent insecurity situations such as insurgency, banditry, and other challenges like natural resource-based conflicts, and high costs of food and agricultural inputs due to inflation for food insecurity.
"In pointing out Nigeria’s challenges with soil degradation and nutrient depletion, Shettima underscored the pivotal role of agriculture in the nation’s economy, contributing 24 per cent to the GDP. He stressed the urgent need to confront issues such as land degradation, erosion, and drought, particularly in the Sahel region.
"Shettima stated, “Agriculture is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy, contributing significantly to our national GDP. However, it faces various constraints hindering its progress.
“Land degradation, erosion, and drought are exacerbating due to over-exploitation, deforestation, and overgrazing, particularly in the northern regions.”
"He expressed Nigeria’s unwavering support for the soil values programme, as he highlighted its potential to empower farmers and revolutionize agricultural practices in the region.
He called upon other participating nations to collaborate effectively in implementing the initiative.
“Shettima made mention that Nigeria is proud to be part of this program, which will truly benefit our farmers, as well as farmers in other countries involved, who have been facing this soil fertility problem for years.
“We are genuinely committed to supporting the effective and sustainable implementation of the program in Nigeria. We also invite all the other countries included to put in place various mechanisms to facilitate the implementation of the Soil Values programme activities,” he noted.
The Chief Executive Officer of IFDC, Henk Duijn, emphasized the significance of long-term investments in soil health, urging governments and donors to prioritize funding for initiatives with sustainable outcomes.
"Duijn highlighted Soil Values’ collaborative approach, aiming to partner with regional and national institutions to maximize impact and implementation efficiency.
The CEO stated, “Given the current situation of soil degradation in the Sahel, investment in soil health will take a long time to produce visible and tangible results. Governments and donors must prioritize funding for soil health initiatives that offer long-term benefits.
“Soil Values have developed an approach not to operate in splendid isolation, nor to impose activities onto the Sahelian countries. Rather, it seeks cooperation with large institutional investors at the regional level, such as the World Bank and other development banks, and through national programs with local institutions.
Hallai Graba Ilallah
Agribusiness Specialist,
TRIMING Project.
while addressing Newsmen,
"Emphasiing on the need to take care of the soils, through `Soil Values` program. He said the ideal of this collaboration should be more impactful in carrying the small-scale farmers along in the Soil Values to enable them bring their own ideas, contribution and energy in saving the soils.
"Revealing that 10 years plan in the value of sahelian soils to transform agriculture and foster partnership by empowering the grassroots communities, as he hope that this thi fruitful collaborations to a sustainable lo
“This will create significant leverage to collectively strengthen the implementation capabilities of local and international institutions and to create the largest impact from the investments made.”
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, urged stakeholders to embrace innovative interventions to combat declining soil fertility.
He emphasised Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with international partners in implementing the Soil Values program.
Represented by Bello Mohammed, Director, Department of Agricultural Land & Climate Change Management Services, Kyari affirmed,
“Nigeria extends its hand in collaboration with international partners. We are committed to implementing the Soil Values program, and stakeholders should adopt these new interventions to address the challenges of poor soil fertility.”
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