The Director General of Agribusiness Group in Nigeria Dr. Manzo Maigari says private stakeholders in the agricultural sector have developed a draft policy framework to mainstream smart agriculture in every sector of the Nigeria economy for national growth and development.
He stated this at a 2 day North-West Zonal seminar for Women and Youth in Agriculture tagged Inclusion in Agribusiness held in Kaduna.
Dr. Maigari noted that the agricultural potentials of Nigeria were yet to be properly harnessed to optimal level, which necessitated the need for stakeholders to came devise a framework which could develop the sector for the benefit of all Nigerians especially grassroot farmers.
He noted that it was the responsibility of stakeholders especially the private sector to advice government on agricultural policy direction for the growth of the sector.
Dr. Manzo Maigari said the seminar brought in all players in the agric value chain in the North West Zone to sensitize them on the negative impact of climate change , and the need to go back to traditional methods of farming towards restoring the value of soil as well as turning agricultural waste to wealth.
According to him, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides have done more damage to the soils and the environment which cannot be sustained.
The Kaduna State coordinator, Small Scale Farmers Association in Nigeria Mrs. Hannatu Sunny, stressed the need to change the practice where men dominate land ownership as it hinders women from succeeding in agricultural practices.
Mrs. Hannatu also appealed to donor agencies and government for grants to women and youths, adding that loan organizations requires collateral which many could not afford.
In their separate addresses the president of Nigeria Young Farmers Network Abubakar Musa Bamai and Chairman, Barakfields Agro Alied ventures Dr. Barak Zebedee said climate smart agriculture cannot succeed without youth involvement.
According to them they were engaging private organizations with innovative ideas for the commencement of farm waste into biofuels and carbon credits among other uses , because there is nothing in the agricultural value chain that is a waste.
Cover/Shindong Bala
