Engineer Onyeisi Joseph, the Director of Mechanisation at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has said that despite the ambitious objectives of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme (NAGS) project, which seeks to enhance food production and combat inflation in the agricultural sector, the implementation faces critical issues that could jeopardize the desired outcomes.
He outlined these concerns during a recent media parley with Agricultural Correspondents of Nigeria (ACAN) in Abuja.
According to Joseph, the second phase of the 2024/2025 dry season for rice production is set to be finalized for the Southern States from January to February 2025, while the Northern States will begin their operations from February 2 to March 2025. The NAGS project is designed around four key components, namely Agricultural Sector Reforms, which aim to implement the newly developed sector policy (NATIP) to streamline development efforts and optimize resources.
The project also includes the establishment of essential institutions at various levels, such as the National Implementation Committee (NIC), Technical Working Committee (TWC), and committees at state and local government levels. These institutions are tasked with coordinating the delivery of farm inputs and providing quality extension services to farmers, with a focus on enhancing productivity, food security, and nutrition.
Additionally, the initiative seeks to support the wheat production sector, with plans to assist between 150,000 to 200,000 farmers in cultivating about 200,000 hectares of irrigable land across wheat-producing states. However, Joseph emphasized that the challenges faced by the project are multifaceted and include an inability of farmers to meet their counterpart commitments, delayed responses from state governments, and limited capacity among some agro-dealers.
“Major implementation challenges observed include the inability of farmers to pay their own counterpart commitment, untimely response from states, lack of adequate capacity with some agro-dealers, difficulty in generating a list of genuine farmers, poor or non-availability of network in some areas, interference from some state governments, non-actor players, and/or general interruption of the programme by some officials of state governments, political leaders, commodity associations, and groups, etc.,” Joseph noted.
He also stressed the importance of adhering to the project’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Operational Modalities (OMS), which are vital for maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the programme. Despite these significant challenges, Joseph assured that the government remains committed to overcoming the obstacles and ensuring that the project’s objectives are achieved.
In an effort to address some of these challenges, the government has promised to undertake a nationwide initiative called “Operation Empty the Store.”
Dr. Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, explained that the operation aims to ensure that agricultural machinery and other inputs are not left unused in warehouses but are distributed to farmers in a timely manner.
“We will be embarking on Operation Empty the Store. It means that all equipment we have in the store is not meant to be in the store; they are meant for service,” Ogunbiyi said.
He further emphasized that the federal government is committed to ensuring that all foodstuffs and agricultural inputs, particularly machinery, are put to use for the benefit of farmers rather than being wasted.
The Ministry has also been involved in a series of projects aimed at improving food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices across the country.
These initiatives are focused on leveraging technology and innovation to address the challenges faced by farmers, including access to quality inputs and better market opportunities.
Ogunbiyi urged farmers to take advantage of the National Farmers HelpLine (NFHL), a toll-free service that provides real-time agricultural information and advisory services.
He explained that the helpline, founded by the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), plays a crucial role in empowering farmers to make informed decisions, improve farm management practices, and access better market opportunities. The helpline has significantly contributed to enhanced agricultural productivity and sustainable farming practices.
“The helpline ensures better market access and promotes sustainable farming practices. By providing crucial support and guidance, the NFHL empowers farmers to make informed decisions and optimize their productivity,” Ogunbiyi added.
Dr. Deola Tayo Lordbanjou, the Director of Agricultural Extension Services, also called on the media to play an active role in disseminating timely and accurate information about the government’s agricultural initiatives.
He highlighted the importance of media partnerships in promoting food security and sustainable agricultural practices, particularly through digital platforms.
“Media partnerships are crucial for promoting food security and sustainable agricultural practices. Collaboration with digital organizations and innovative platforms is essential,” Lordbanjou said.
He further emphasized that effective media campaigns, especially through social media and other digital platforms, can raise awareness about food security issues and the initiatives aimed at addressing them.
Meanwhile, NAGS-AP is a $134 million (approximately N118.6 billion) loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB), secured by the federal government in November 2024 to enhance Nigeria’s grain production. The loan is intended to support the cultivation of essential crops such as maize, rice, wheat, sorghum, and cassava, with the goal of boosting food production and addressing the rising cost of agricultural commodities.
Other key stakeholders noted critical challenges to include; lack of experience among farmers, unreliable mobile networks in rural areas, and difficulties in identifying legitimate farmers. Additional complications such as political interference, insufficient outreach to key players in the agricultural ecosystem, and non-compliance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Operational Modalities (OMS) under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket (NAPS-AP) were also noted.