…50,000 farmers to receive agric equipment February
By Stella Odueme
As parts of efforts to enhance food production and fight current food insecurity, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has assured that it will soon embark on ‘Operation Empty The Stores’ nationwide.
The objective is to make available to farmers nationwide agricultural inputs and implements being kept unused in stores across the country to boost food production.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, stated this on Wednesday while declaring open a One-Day Workshop with the theme ‘Building strong partnership with the media for Food Security’ organised by the Department of Information for Agriculture Correspondents in Abuja.
“It may interest you that the ministry will soon be distributing agricultural inputs and implements to all stakeholders. Arrangements are on and within the next couple of months, this will be done.
“And of course, immediately I resumed duties, I made a pronouncement that we would be embarking on ‘Operation Empty The Store’. It means that all the equipment and other things that we have in the stores are not meant for the stores, they are meant for the farmers. And therefore, I will embark on empty all our stores nationwide. So that the equipment and inputs will be useful to our farmers.” he added.
He appealed the media, especially Agriculture correspondents to continue to in their task of sensitizing Nigerians to take a renewed interest in agriculture in order to ensure food self-sufficiency and growth of Nigeria.
The permanent secretary said the workshop was strategically designed to foster a stronger collaboration between the Ministry and the media, even as he stressed that the Ministry recognized the importance of effective communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing in achieving its lofty objectives of food security for Nigeria.
“This workshop is a testament to our Ministry’s commitment to openness, transparency, and constructive engagement with the media. We recognize that a well-informed media is essential to promoting a better understanding of the agricultural sector and its impact on our nation’s development.
Ths workshop has indeed become expedient, given the emphasis the present administration places on agricultural development and the priority it attaches to the attainment of food security, self-sufficiency in food and nutrition as well as staple commodities for export.
“The importance of Agriculture in our national economy cannot be over-emphasized, especially with the global economic challenges and the need for diversification of our economy. There is therefore, the need to mobilise, educate and sensitize the Nigeria populace on the need to embrace agriculture.
“I hope that this workshop will offer deeper understanding and wider knowledge of the activities, programmes and indeed the achievements of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. It is essential for us to let Nigerians and indeed the world know the efforts being made to achieve food and nutrition sufficiency thereby, stem hunger, starvation and malnutrition in our country,” he noted
In his welcome address, the Director of Information in the ministry, Joel Oruche, acknowledged the media’s overwhelming support to the ministry, and stressed the need for a stronger partnership between his ministry and the media, especially with the high premium the present administration places on food security.
“Essentially, as we make effort towards ensuring food security in our dear country, it is important that we forge a strong synergy to ensure that this is achieved.
Your duty in this regard is to continuously educate the public on the policies, programmes and activities of the ministry that impact on farmers.
“Small holder farmers indeed depend on your ability to educate them on methodologies, inputs availability and application of implements that can enhance their yield. I therefore urge you to as always, give wider publicity to all the ministry’s activities including those of its agencies,” he said
The Director, Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Services, Dr. Deola Tayo Lordbanjou, in his paper presentation, explained that one of the objectives of the ‘Operation Empty The Stores’ programme is that 50,000 farmers across Nigeria will be empowered with agricultural inputs and implements from February ending.
He added that each state will have 1,500 beneficiaries in the farmers empowerment initiative.
“We have all the inputs that can help farmers including sprayers, seeds, organic fertilisers, planters, motorized weeders among others.”
He equally unveiled plans to launch the National Electronic Extension Platform (NEEP) to make access to information of the ministry programmes easier and available to farmers nationwide.
According for him, the NEEP platform is aimed at moving the Ministry from analog to digital, and is expected to serve as a transformative tool for improving communication and interactions between farmers and other agricultural stakeholders.
“Any one who wants to go into farming can easily access all the information needed on the platform.
“We are using the platform as a model for other African countries to follow.” he explained.
He therefore appealed to the media to ensure proper dissemination of accurate information to support initiatives aimed at achieving food security and sustainable agriculture in the country.
“Advocacy efforts often focus on improving market access for farmers and ensuring that smallholder farmers receive the support they need. Through media partnerships, these advocacy efforts are amplified, reaching a wider audience and garnering greater support.
“This can lead to significant policy reforms that benefit the agricultural sector and improve food security.
Disseminating Information
Accurate and timely information is essential for farmers to make informed decisions.
“The media provides valuable data on best agricultural practices, market trends, weather forecasts, and new technologies.
“By disseminating this information, the media helps farmers adapt to changing conditions and improve their productivity. Timely access to relevant information ensures that farmers can make decisions that optimize their yield and contribute to food security.” he said
Other Directors, including that of Technical Departments, Federal Department of Rural Development, Mechanization, as well as that of
National Project Coordinator, NAGS-AP, made paper presentations to give first hand information on their activities and programmes.
