Production
By juliet vincent Aug. 27, 2024
A programme, HortiNigeria, has underscored the importance of adopting modern best practices in horticulture to enhance productivity and ensure food security in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that it is a four-year programme funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Abuja.
Its Director, Mr Muhammed Idris, made this known during a visit to farms in Kaduna State, where farmers trained by the Dutch-backed initiative were anticipating bumper harvests of crops such as pepper, tomatoes, onions, and okra.
According to Idris, the project, which began in 2021, is a collaborative effort between the governments of Nigeria and the Netherlands, providing support in the four states of Kaduna, Kano, Akwa Ibom and Ogun.
He said that the initiative aimed to boost farmers’ productivity and reduce post-harvest losses across the country.
Commending the Nigerian government for its efforts in upgrading irrigation schemes, Idris urged for more focus on this area as a key strategy to encourage dry season farming.
He also emphasised that a comprehensive value chain has been established for the trained farmers, linking them from farm to market.
“All aspects, from production to market, and even to the final consumer, are connected,
” We have input providers, crate producers, and processors. Wherever we go, we ensure inclusivity across the value chain,” Idris explained.
He further said that SIMKAY Foods Limited, an off-taker in the value chain, plays a crucial role in significantly reducing or even eliminating post-harvest losses in Kaduna.
“Our goal is to ensure that we minimize waste, especially of vegetables like tomatoes, which are in short supply. We cannot afford to waste any produce,” he added.
During a courtesy visit to SIMKAY Foods Limited in Zaria, the Team Lead, Rejoice Usim, expressed readiness to partner with HortiNigeria project.
Usim revealed that the vegetable processing company operates with seven Local Government Area (LGA) aggregators who collect vegetables at various locations before transporting them to the company for processing.
Usim said that the company takes full advantage of the harvest season to process vegetables into powder form,onions, pepper, tomatoes, and okra while retaining 100% of their nutrients.
One of the tomato farmers in Ikara LGA, Musa Suleiman, attributed his farm’s success to the training he received from HortiNigeria.
He shared that other farmers now come to learn from him, thanks to the improved techniques he has adopted.
“I am very happy with the progress of my farm. The training from HortiNigeria has significantly boosted my productivity.
“I am grateful for the training and the seeds provided. It’s encouraging to see other farmers learning from our success,” Suleiman said.
Similarly, a women’s group comprising 20 members under the “Gidam Duna Women Multipurpose Farmers” initiative showcased their thriving farms filled with pepper and tomatoes.
The group’s leader, Mrs Mary Yakubu, expressed the need for further upgrades to the irrigation system to support their dry season farming efforts, adding that vegetables flourish best during this
