Borno targets export of sesame, others as Zulum visits 20 hectares irrigation farm

By: Our Reporter

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum said that Borno State is working towards attaining food sufficiency and the export of cash crops and other farm products such as maize and cassava, among others.

“Let’s carefully put things in order. Borno State will start exporting sesame and other cash crops in the near future,” Zulum said.

The governor stated this on Tuesday at the Koiri irrigation farm, one of the pilot drip irrigation schemes of his administration.

Koiri scheme, covering about 20 hectares of land, aims to produce 364 tons of maize and sesame in one crop cycle. With three cycles per year, the Koiri scheme is targeted to cultivate over 1,092 tons of maize and other crops annually.

Governor Zulum noted that his administration will focus on investing in irrigation agriculture to maximise food production in the state.

“We will subsequently change focus and invest our resources in irrigation farming or, rather, food production. I assure you that we will provide the political will needed to achieve food sufficiency,” Zulum said.

Governor Zulum, however, ordered the expansion of the scheme to 300 hectares, with 100 hectares to be cultivated in each senatorial zone.

The governor said, “We need to expand our scope. We should identify bigger land; we can expand with another 100 hectares each in Borno Central, South and North.”

Speaking further, he added, “My predecessor has procured about 10,000 hectares of drip irrigation kits. After this year’s rainy season, we hope the state will be able to cultivate at least 1000 hectares.”

Zulum was accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Bukar Tijjani, Commissioners for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bawu Musami, Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, and members of the agric transformation team, among other government officials.

Borno targets export of sesame, others as Zulum visits 20 hectares irrigation farm

Flour Millers of Nigeria vow to support wheat Farmers on the plateau

By: Bodunrin Kayode

With the lingering nature of the Ukraine war, flour Millers Association of Nigeria have concluded arrangements to support wheat Farmers in Plateau State.

This was disclosed by the representative of the Association, Dara David Choji during a meeting held with officials of All Farmers Association of Nigeria and some selected Farmers at Chigwi in Vom District of Jos South Council area recently.

Dara Choji explained that the Association will provide water irrigation pumps,demonstration farms, seeds and sponsorship of technical support aimed at improving yield during the cropping season.

Dara added that over 10,000 hectres of land, located at Chigwi in Vom has been acquired by the Association to engage forty farmers for the first phase of the project.

He pointed out that individual wheat Farmers will also be encouraged through a written Mamorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Association for the purchase of their products at a profitable rate by the end of the cropping season and urged those concern to register with All farmers Association of Nigeria which is the umbrella of all Commodity Farmers so that they can easily be reached when the need arises.

Delivering a vote of thanks, the representative of Da Pam Bot, Secretary of All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Plateau state Chapter, Wukaska Gowan
appreciated Da Choji for his doggedness and sincerity that singled him out for appointment by Flour Millers as the State Coordinator of the project.

He said Plateau is rated among the best five States in Wheat production and assured that Farmers will be mobilize to participate in the project.

Responding, a prominent Wheat Farmer in the Northern Senatorial Zone of the State, Donald Pwajok said that he was optimistic that the program will lead to improving food security, job creation and encouraging of other crop growers who wish to emulate the process.

Meantime, interested Wheat Farmers are expected to contact the leadership of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria in the State or call 08022465672 for further directives.

Flour Millers of Nigeria vow to support wheat Farmers on the plateau

USAID Has Facilitated $205 million Debt and Equity Investment for Nigerian Agribusinesses

By: Michael Mike

Over the past five years, USAID has promoted private sector-led economic growth in Nigeria by facilitating $205 million in debt and equity investments for Nigerian agribusinesses.

This was revealed on Wednesday when the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded West Africa Trade & Investment Hub (“Trade Hub”), hosted a workshop on “Leveraging Private Sector Engagement to Promote Sustainable Impact.”

The two-day event highlights the Trade Hub’s efforts to expand trade and investment opportunities and improve livelihoods and communities in West Africa.

A statement from USAID, noted that Nigeria is the largest economy and market in Africa and has a vast untapped pool of labour, creating great potential for economic growth.

It added that the country has an opportunity to become a leading exporter and hub for the West Africa region and the broader continent.

It started that over the past five years, USAID has promoted private sector-led economic growth in Nigeria by facilitating $205 million in debt and equity investments for Nigerian agribusinesses. USAID has also provided partial risk guarantees that will support up to $120 million in loans to agricultural, health, and renewable energy businesses.

It stresses that, the Trade Hub improves private sector competitiveness with a focus on increasing the agricultural productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers.

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The programme has promoted Nigeria and West Africa’s regional and international trade. Using a market-based approach. The project also increases partnerships with firms in various sectors through a co-investment grant facility to improve private sector productivity, profitability, and competitiveness.

Since the Trade Hub was launched in 2019, the project has catalyzed 93 private- sector investments across 16 West African countries. In Nigeria, partners include fruit and cereal processing companies, agricultural input companies, financial advisers, investment firms, and anchor farms. The Trade Hub has awarded $82.6 million in co-investment grants to these companies, generating over $463 million in sales, and creating over 60,000 jobs.

Speaking at the event, USAID’s Acting Mission Director Sara Werth remarked: “Together, with our private sector partners and local and national governments throughout the region, we are so proud of the results we have achieved to date. As we continue to partner in the work necessary for sustainable economic growth, financial inclusion, and climate resilience, today’s learning event provides the environment to fuel continued collaboration and build new connections.”

During the event, private sector partners shared their successes in leveraging Trade Hub funds and direct partnerships with investment firms and other businesses to unlock new private investment. They also discussed the strategies implemented to grow their businesses while navigating challenges and crises such as COVID-19, insecurity, and inflation.
USAID Has Facilitated $205 million Debt and Equity Investment for Nigerian Agribusinesses