From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The Federal Government of Nigeria under the Renewed Hope Seed Program, has Flag-off the distribution of improve seeds to five thousands Farmers in Jigawa State.
Speaking during the event, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the effort is part of the unwavering commitments of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to achieving sustainable food and nutrition security under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He explained that, the Renewed Hope Seed Program is a timely intervention in response to the dry spell that affected many farmers shortly after the onset of the rainy season.
He explained that, under
this intervention, each beneficiary state receives 32 metric tonnes of certified cowpea seed, 9 metric tonnes of certified groundnut seed and 8.35 metric tonnes of certified sesame seed. That seed is in Jigawa this morning, and the programme is expected to reach approximately 4,935 small holder farming households.
The Minister added that, the Cowpea, groundnut and sesame were not chosen because they were available but they hey were chosen because they are fast. These are short-duration crops, and the improved varieties in these bags mature quickly enough to finish inside the rains that are left to us. What is in those bags is time. It is the nearest thing agricultural science has produced to handing us back the weeks we lost.
“Every seed distributed here today is certified, and I want to say what stands behind that word. The Seeds Council is holding the line on quality: testing what enters the market, registering and regulating the varieties that earn release and pursuing those who trade in counterfeit seed. That we can open these bags without wondering what is inside them is the Council’s work, and it deserves to be said out loud.
While delivering his speech, the Director General, National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Honourable Fatuhu Muhammad said, through this program, about 5,000 farmers in Jigawa State will receive 32 metric tonnes of certified cowpea seed, 9 metric tonnes of groundnut seed, and 8.35 metric tonnes of sesame seed to help them recover from the effects of adverse weather conditions and sustain agricultural production.
He said, the intervention once again demonstrates the Federal Government’s resolve to support farmers with quality, climate-smart planting materials at the right time.
The DG maintained that, As Nigeria’s seed regulatory authority, the National Agricultural Seeds Council remains committed to ensuring that every seed reaching our farmers meets the highest standards of quality through effective seed certification, quality assurance, variety registration, laboratory testing and regulatory enforcement.
“We will continue to work closely with seed companies, research institutions, development partners and State Governments to build a vibrant and competitive seed industry that supports national food security.
“I wish to commend His Excellency, Governor Umar A. Namadi, for his remarkable commitment to agricultural transformation in Jigawa State. His administration’s investments in irrigation, mechanization, improved agricultural inputs, extension services, and policies that encourage private-sector participation have positioned the State as one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural hubs”, he said.
The collaboration between the Federal Government and the Jigawa State Government is a clear demonstration of what can be achieved through a shared commitment to agricultural development.
Also speaking, the Jigawa State governor who was represented by the State Deputy governor Engineer Aminu Usman Gumel, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitments and concerns to Jigawa Farmers and Nigeria at large.
He also warned the beneficiaries to avoid selling of the items as it only meant to support them to meet the targeted annual farm production for better food security in the country.
The deputy governor then assured more commitments both from Federal and State government towards improving Agricultural Transformation to food security.
