Council on agriculture holds 2nd meeting on boosting productivity

From: Femi Oyelola in Kaduna

Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture through the Policy and Agricultural Systems Strengthening (PASS) Project in collaboration with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), has held the 2nd Regular Meeting of the State Council with the theme, “Enhancing Agricultural Productivity through Sustainable Yield Optimization and Climate-Smart Practices.”

Sub-themes discussed at the meeting includes: the adoption of Climate Smart Technology by Small Holder Farmers, access to quality inputs —seeds, fertilizers, and Agro advisory services and farmer capacity building and extension services for yield enhancement.

Other key areas includes: Policy and institutional support for productivity driven agriculture, market access and value chain development for increased farm returns, and efficient water use, and irrigation practices in yield optimization.

A major activity at occasion was the technical and feedback sessions which saw presentation of memos in relation to the central theme by the Stakeholders consisting of Local Goverment Chairmen, Directors, representatives from NGOs, CSOs, the Private sector and Research Institutions.

In his welcome remarks, the State Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture, Murtala Muhammad Dabo said the meeting serves as an important platform for coordination, dialogue, and strategic alignment among key actors in the agricultural ecosystem of the State.

He stressed the urgent need to reposition the agricultural sector in response to the emerging global challenges, especially climate change, and the demand for food security and improved livelihoods.

“The theme forms the backbone of our current agricultural transformation agenda, and as Stakeholders —both from public and private sectors, your insights, experiences, and commitments are essential in advancing these objectives.”