The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, has expressed gratitude to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for providing Nigeria with an emergency 12 billion yen loan to establish resilient and sustainable agriculture through the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP).
He stated that the facility will be used for three purposes: improving the quality of rice seeds, improving the distribution of agricultural inputs, providing high-quality extension services, and increasing private sector involvement in manufacturing agrarian inputs.
He stated that the rice seeds production project was 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.
Senator Kyari pointed out that “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, 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, including 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”, the Minister added.
He stated that the Ministry will 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, enhancing rice seed quality, and expanding extension services are not just initiatives. Instead, they are commitments to the future of our communities and nation.
The Minister noted that by working with JICA, researchers, NGOs, and farmers, “we can create a sustainable and resilient agricultural system that ensures food security for all”.
Therefore, he commended JICA for being a long-term strategic partner, considering the impact of bilateral activities JICA has undertaken in the agricultural space over the past four decades.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abdullahi Sabi Aliyu, reiterated that JICA has always been supportive and will not be taken for granted.
Sen. Abdullahi stressed that the seed issue was 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.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Director General of the Economic Development Department of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Mr. Takao Shimokawa, expressed gratitude for the long-standing collaboration between the Ministry and JICA.
He stated that JICA would continue to prioritise collaboration to ensure economic prosperity and food security in Nigeria, noting that JICA is fully aligned with the Ministry’s mandate.
In his words: “Today I take advantage to report the recent progress of JICA assistance in the Agricultural sector in three key areas, including food security, announcing that the first disbursement of the loan was paid yesterday”.
“We are now moving forward with supervision and monitoring of the fund utilisation,” he stated.
“JICA and Japan are fully committed to rice production in Africa, especially in Nigeria, which is the largest producer of rice,” the Director-General stressed, adding that the new grant project will supply the machinery for rice production, with the procurement procedure for this equipment set to begin shortly.
Source: Tribune Online
