Agriculture
FCTA Reiterates Commitment Toward Attainment Of Food Security
…Sets guidelines for operations in the Agricultural sector
Joel Ajayi
With the relaxation of the lockdown amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat of the FCT Administration has reassured farmers of the Administration’s commitment to step up the provision of support towards the attainment of food security.
The Acting Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat Mr. Ibe Prospect Chukwuemeka stated this in Abuja when he issued the Safety Protocols for Agricultural activities in the FCT.
According to him, the measure is to mitigate the spread of the disease. “The Agricultural Sector as you know is key to our collective desire to attain food security and job creation. This is why the FCT Administration is putting in place these measures aimed at protecting our farmers as they go about their various Agricultural activities”. Ibe said
The FCT Administration under the leadership of Hon. Minister Muhammad Musa Bello and the Minister of State Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu he added are in discussions at various levels with the AfDB, Central Bank of Nigeria and other Corporate organisations towards the actualisation of the food secutity, wealth creation and empowerment of FCT residents, through the implementation of various initiatives that will propel the growth of the sector in the FCT as wel as other routine support programmes.
The operational guidelines covers 5 key sectors which includes: Abattoir and slaughter slabs; Veterinary Clinics; Livestock Markets; Fish processing Facilities and Agric Extension Services.
“The guildlines are, Strict Surveillance of all entry points into the FCT to ensure that meat brought into the FCT are duly certified by Veterinary officials to be safe for consumption.
“The use of infrared thermometers will be mandatory for all those entering the facilities.
“Protective items such as hand sanitizers and running water with antibacterial soap will be kept at the entry points into the facilities which must be used before access is allowed into any of the facilities.
“The use of face masks is to become mandatory.
“Veterinary health officials Butchers, Fish vendors as well as handlers of live birds cattle, goat and sheep will be required to use hand gloves and boots.
“The use of disinfectants for cleaning will be made more frequent in all the facilities especially the abattoirs
“Dealers of Agricultural inputs and food items will be encouraged to use transparent materials to cover them.
“In order to avoid congestion at the various facilities, social distancing measures will be adopted and enforced at all the facilities.
“Agric. Extension workers shall adopt social distancing measures in conducting their training progrrammes.”
Acting Secretary, therefore solicited for the understanding and support of the public, disclosed that a monitoring team has been put in place to ensure implementation and compliance.
Agriculture
Shaping youths’ perception of Agriculture through Agrovest reality TV show
Joel Ajayi
The Agrovest reality Television show initiative aims to influence and change the way young people think about agriculture, redirecting a positive mental attitude .
Reality TV shows are TV programs where ordinary people are filmed in real life situations rather than actors.
Shaping ,implies molding or forming a new perspective of Agriculture on the minds of youths will go a long way in bringing about a change of attitude among young people.
Dr Emmanuel Abuhson ,CEO Tremma Agro Limited and the initiator of the Agrovest reality Television show says Agrovest reality TV show seeks to challenge negative stereotypes and misconceptions about agriculture among young people and showcase the exciting and rewarding aspects of agriculture.
One thing that stands out for the show is the trend of making agriculture attractive to the youths while giving them a positive and constructive perception of agriculture .
Abuhson said this during a stakeholder meeting held in Abuja that the word Agrovest has been coined from two word meaning Agro from agriculture and vest from investment (Agrovest) .
37 boisterous young Nigerians would be selected from the 36 states and will be competing for a 60-day periods in a Agrovest reality TV show between the ages of 18 to 40.
He said that each of the 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, will have one representative each. Which will make a total of 37 boisterous young Nigerians that will be competing in the
Agrovest reality TV show.
He said Agrovest is an edutainment TV reality show’s that its objective is to change the narrative in the agricultural sector.The show is a comprehensive agriculture training, advocacy and mentoring program delivered on an entertainment platform.
“These representatives from each state will showcase creative ways of exploring the agriculture industry, commercial insights and more .
“ The representative from each state will live and work together as a team on various agricultural chores that would be given to them during the competition.
“ This is where the commodities association comes in ,they will be training the participants on various agriculture commodities and will also form part of the judges to select who emerges the winner(s)as the case might be,” he said.
He also said that the selected participants will be required to complete all of these duties tasks over the course of the 60 days period and the winner will walk away with a N20 million cash reward and other consolation prizes that we will shortly disclose soon.
“ The idea is an effort to support our efforts in the food sector, innovation, and food security narratives across the country, shifting old viewpoints and making agriculture really appealing. Thereby gaining youth participation in agriculture,” he added.
“ This is in alignment with the President’s vision to ensure food security and the food crisis we have in all over the world.
“ I commend the support and commitment of the stakeholders including the Ministry of Agriculture and all our partners who are working day and night to make this project a reality.
The Presidents of various commodities including soursop, bamboos ,sesame were present at the first stakeholders meeting held in Abuja.
The Office of Senior Special Assistant
to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation ( HAPA) are in Collaboration with AgroVest TV Reality show.
Others partners are the Ministry of Agriculture, commodity association and other agriculture stakeholders across the country and globally.
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