Nigerian government and Collaborative effort with Japan on Community Rice Seed Production . How Fed Ministry of Agriculture, NCRI and JICA Trained and Empowered Rice farmers. By: Uwala Olufunmilayo

To the real economists and those with the full grasp of how governance can be run on productive lane ,the roles of agricultural development cannot be overemphasized.It is therefore the basic foundation and sector on which
Other sectors are built , agricultural sector for advanced nations of the world remain s the foundation ,over which technology derives it’s power ,likewise Health , infrastructure and welfare of citizenry .
Agriculture has therefore occupied that inalienable indicator for assessment of any government success at a particular period in history
The advance nations of the world ,who reigns as global powers have all developed their agricultural sector, before delving into technology,which places them on the map as super powers

It is therefore the anticipation of the citizens in any country see a serious government in power give agriculture the pride of place it deserves .

The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT),since his assumption of power has reassured Nigerians of his determination to overcome the challenges starring the nation barefacedly and with resolve has mapped out different policies to chart Nigeria on the path of honour in similitude to what is obtainable in advanced nations of the world .

Every step has therefore pointed in an administration , which knows it’s onions and focussed on how to reorganizes the nation into working pathways .

An attestation to this under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the appointment of capable hands to man sensitive ministries and department towards achieving the set goals of repositioning the nation to that enviable position where her citizens will be proud to call their own.

The workings of the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security in Nigeria and that of the state Minister has clearly indicated a brilliant mind channeling the nation to the path of unprecedented agricultural development.

Likewise is the appointment of Dr M.N Ishaq,the Executive Director of National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI),with its headquarters at Baddegi in Bida,Niger State,who has shown visionary leadership and professional coordination of the institute towards achieving the salient objectives.

In that awesome demonstration of capacity to realize the federal government mapped out agricultural revolution and fulfillment of food 🥝 security for Nigerians was the just concluded collaboration with the government of Japan,one of the world’s rated economies .

The federal Ministry of agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) in conjunction with the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) has delved into commendable collaboration with Japan International Coordinating Agency (JICA) towards achieving food sustainability for Nigeria ,in the area of improved quality and quantity rice production ,which will in no distant time set the nation amongst the rated in the arena of food productivity.

Like a clear headed experts with visionary pursuit ,the first step towards this goal was hit with the successfully held Training on community rice seed production at the Ibadan Outstation of the NCRI on Tuesday and Wednesday 25th and 26th February,2025.

Farmers were drawn in their clusters round the farming areas of Oyo state and trained sufficiently on Rice seed production methods and techniques by the collaboration between FMAFS,NCRI JICA AND NASC bodies.

Highly resourceful personnel were engaged ,which impacted deep and modern knowledge into rice farmers inside the hall ,assisted by the mounted projectors for visual learning .

The essence of the training was fulfilled for the farmers,who thronged the venue in their clusters carefully spread across all zones known for expanse rice seed production in Oyo state.

In further applaudable accomplishment of set objectives,the farmers at the end of intellectually enriched training on Rice 🌾seed production were additionally empowered with farm inputs and other incentives,which made the training programme an interesting exercise .

Bags of fertilizer,treated and high yielding rice seeds,herbicides and other useful chemicals etc were subsequently given freely to rice farmers ,who will go ahead to supply other farmers and in furtherance open up expanse acres and hectares of land for rice seed production as tutored .

With the stage set 📐 for astronomical and geometric expansion to larger number of farmers as intuitively designed ,one cannot contend the inescapable conclusion that a visionary journey into a rebirthed nation ,which could stand on her food sustainability may have begun .

This being so ,as rice is the staple food,which sustain homes under this economy .In furtherance the volume of productivity was not designed for consumption in Nigeria alone,but that which will be exported to other nations and invariably serving as means of revenue for the country,away from the concentration on oil 🛢️ which has been the major income for the beleaguered nation .

As further events towards this focussed community rice seed production unfold,one can t but salute the direction of the federal government towards ensuring Nigerians breadth new lease of life and also the saddled Ministry(FMFS), National Agricultural seed council (NASC) , National Cereals Research Institute(NCRI)and Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) who have handled the collaboration in such enigmatic,experienced and professional expertise .

Nigeria and Nigerians will in no distant time walk that path of food sustainability,where revenues are generated to accelerate growth 💹 and development of other sectors .

Uwala Oluwafunmilayo Esther writes, the Head. of Ibadanland Outstation,NCRI,Moore Plantation, Apata Ibadan.