Federal Government says Nigeria records post-harvest losses amounting to 10 billion United States dollars annually.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this at the inauguration of the Green Legacy Rural Community Agriculture and Infrastructure Network (G.R.A.I.N) at the Pulse Centre Initiative in Kangire Community, Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
According to him, nigeria loses occur as a result of poor storage, weak Infrastructure, limited processes, growing threats of climate change, flood, soil degradation and erratic rainfall.
He explained that agriculture contributes about 24 per cent of nigeria’s GDP, with about 70 per cent of its food produced by small holder farmers, with many operating with limited Infrastructure and support.
Senator Abubakar Kyari said, by empowering small holder farmers with modern tools, technology and market, they can unlock the full wealth of the land and people.
He reiterated the commitment of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, for according agricultural sector a priority and placing the agenda at centre of nigeria’s transformation.
The Minister further revealed that the GRAIN initiative is driven by the private sector innovation, as a means of strengthening Nigeria’s food systems.
He described the pulse centre as an integrated hub for agriculture, infrastructure and rural development, with each centre serving an entire value chain.
He lauded the embedding of the value chain with the provision of quality facilities at the centre which serves aa a safe environment for export, noting that such facility would be replicated in many communities across the country.
In his remarks, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, stressed the impact and strength of public and private sector partnership, noting that it brings about development.
He expressed delight over the emergence of such hubs in Nigeria’s Jigawa Community, stating that Jigawa is by nature, an agrarian economy.
“This is a micro economy that will benefit the country because of its multiple benefits as many facilities and modern technology are utilised.” He said.
Yusuf Tugar commended the Tinubu and Namadi’s administration of Jigawa state, for privatising food security in their agenda.
In his speech, Governor Umar Namadi expressed delight for the opportunity given to Jigawa to host the first pulse centre in the country.
He described the initiative as an extremely brilliant innovation that brought about a sustainable means of livelihood to the rural community in Jigawa state.
According to him, the ground breaking of the centre in Kangire, will make the community operational and bring to light the economic potentiality and transformation.
Namadi commended the facility, saying that it consisted of integrated power project which consisted of solar power alternation, digitally connected hub with an integrated series around the entire agriculture value chain.
He this reiterated the commitment of his administration to improving the agriculture value chain to compliment his administration’s effort in job creation, Infrastructure development and improving livelihood.
Also, the chairman of Birnin Kudu local council, Alhaji Builder Muhammad Uba, reiterated his commitment to supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He explained that Namadi administration has complimented the Renewed Hope Initiative by according food security and agriculture a priority.
Builder added that, Governor Umar Namadi has done a lot to transform and digitalise agriculture in Jigawa state.
COV/USMAN MZ
