The National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development (NCARD), has stressed the need to bring a lasting solution to the challenges of Herders/Farmers conflict with a view to boosting agriculture in the country.
NCARD made this known in a Communique it issued at the end of its 44th Regular Meeting in Abuja. The document was signed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Nanono.
It said that when addressed, a resolution of the conflict will end attendant insecurity challenges and boost Agricultural production in the country.
NCARD said it recognised the level of economic devastation the COVID-19 pandemic, floods and general insecurity in the country had caused in the agricultural sector.
According to NCARD, efforts by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to diversify the Nigerian economy from dependence on oil and gas, will reposition agriculture to its rightful place in the Nigerian economy.
It also acknowledged the role of the Federal and State Governments in bringing about lasting solutions to the challenges of food security in Nigeria.
“Council acknowledged the efforts of the Organized Private Sector, Development and Technical Partners, Civil Society Organizations in their quest to solve the challenges of food and nutrition insecurity in Nigeria,” It said.
The council said there is the need for the three tiers of Government to increase investments in rural infrastructure to open rural farming communities to markets and further reduce the migration of youth to urban centers.
The following proposals were also approved – (1) The abolition of the use of tyres, kerosene and plastic materials for flaying of animals for human consumption with a view to replacing the harmful substances with renewable energy and gas.
2 – The proposal for the training of 75,000 extension workers over a period of three years. The trainees include beneficiaries of the N-Power programme.
3 – A proposAL for 2.5 per cent farmers’ loan, levies on agricultural products and support from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
4 – The National Livestock Transformation Plan, proposed to be implemented over 10 years in Nigeria, with involvement of private sector.
5 – The establishment of livestock disease free zones/compartments for improved diseases control and facilitation of international trade in animals and animal products and the the establishment of Bio-pesticide Centre in Nigeria for food security and safety.
6 – The strategies of increasing domestic fish production, mitigating post-harvest losses of fish produce, and reducing fish importation.
7 – The conduct of detailed National Survey and Soil Fertility Mapping nationwide in collaboration with the private sector.
8 – The proposal for the resuscitation of National Agricultural Data Management and Information System for planning and policy coordination.
9 – The proposal to revive school farms and Young Farmers Club to encourage youth to venture into farming as a business for sustainable agricultural development.
10 – The Review of Entry Point for Agricultural Officers from Grade Level 08 to Grade Level 09 as well as the establishment of NCARD Resolutions Implementation Task Team to ensure compliance on Council resolutions.
The Council unanimously resolved to hold the 45th NCARD Meeting in Jos, Plateau, in 2022. (NAN)
•PHOTO: Muhammad Nanono
