PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF PRESIDENTIAL
INITIATIVE ON RICE, CASSAVA AND VEGETABLE OIL
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
INRODUCTION
From its inception, the Obasanjo’s administration made
a firm commitment to restore Nigeria’s Agriculture to its past
eminent position in the economy.
It was realized that the
contribution of the sector had significantly dropped from
being a major foreign exchange earner and resource
reservoir to the present status of low supply deficits in both
food and industrial crops.
On this basis, Mr. President
convened several stakeholders fora on Cassava, Rice,
Vegetable Oil Development Programme (VODEP) and Tree
Crops.
This led to the inauguration of various committees
under the chairmanship of the Honourable Minister of
Agriculture and Rural Development that developed the
blueprint
for
the
implementation
of
the
“Presidential
Initiatives on Cassava, Rice, VODEP and Tree Crops.
blueprint
were
subsequently
approved
by
the
The
Federal
Executive Council (FEC) with the recommendation that the
take-off funds be made available for project implementation.
1
GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE PRESISENTIAL
INITIATIVES
It is important in this presentation to give an overview
of the implementation performance of the initiatives.
RICE
Rice production in Nigeria is dominated by small holder
farmers with 0.5 - 1.5 hectare per farmer using manual
labour for virtually all its operations. Presently over 52 rice
varieties with yield potentials of between 2 – 8 tonnes of
paddy per hectare and maturity periods of 95 – 140 days
had been developed by both National and International
Research Institutions. Most of these varieties have been
found to be suitable for cultivation in diverse agro ecological
zones. Current national demand for rice is estimated at 5.0
million metric tonnes of milled rice while the current
production status is estimated at 3.0 metric tonnes leaving a
deficit of 2.0 million metric tonnes.
Consequently, the
country resorted to rice importation to bridge the gap. The
national rice import bill was as high as N96 billion in 2002.
However, there was a slight decline in rice import bill in the
year 2004. The enormity of our national demand, and the
need to conserve foreign exchange show clearly that we
cannot depend on the level of production by the small holder
farmers.
Thus, the urgent need to address the production
constraints
for
increasing
output
2
to
satisfy
domestic
consumption
and
even
produce
for
export
becomes
paramount.
CASSAVA
Nigeria is currently the largest cassava producer in the
world with estimated annual production of about 40 million
metric tonnes. About 90% of this is however, consumed as
food. The country is yet to fully harness the socio economic
potentials of cassava that would translate to higher ranking
of cassava next to petroleum as a major contributor to the
Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Presidential Initiative
on Cassava has set in motion the process of achieving an
annual income of five billion dollars (US $5.0 billion) from
export of cassava in the next 3 – 5 years.
aims
at
building
the
This plan also
domestic productive
capacity
to
efficiently, profitably and sustainably satisfy the new market
demand with the quality and quantity required to realize the
income target. The need to diversify and expand the
alternative uses of cassava viz: ethanol, starch, livestock
feed and household flour to realize the benefits derivable
from domestic markets and as raw materials for industry, as
well as create opportunities for income generation for the
rural populace prompted putting in place the Presidential
Initiative on Cassava, Production and Export.
3
VEGETABLE OIL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (VODEP)
The Vegetable Oil Development Programme (VODEP)
was packaged to promote the development, production,
processing and marketing of vegetable oils for ultimately
reversing the supply deficits estimated at 300,000 –
400,000 tonnes per annum. To attain the goals of the
programme, the following strategies and specific activities
were designed for implementation and they include among
others:
ƒ Rehabilitation of existing plantings of cocoa and oil
palm between 30 years of age
ƒ Replanting of moribund plantations of over 30 years of
age
ƒ Massive production of
groundnut and cotton.
oil
palm,
cocoa
soybean,
ƒ Capacity building for farmers, processors and extension
agents
ƒ Production/procurement of breeder, foundation and
certified seeds of Groundnut, cotton and soybean
ƒ Rehabilitation of post harvest facilities, processing
plants and infrastructures.
ƒ Fabrication of proto-type shellers/decorticator/dryers
etc.
ƒ Expansion of land under cultivation
ƒ Establishment of new plantings.
4
STRATEGIES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
THEPRESIDNETIAL INITIATIVES
RICE
PROJECT COMPONENTS
The Presidential Initiative on increased rice production,
processing and export has four components, namely:i
Production, inputs and crop protection ;
ii.
Irrigation and land development
iii.
Processing and marketing ; and
iv.
Project management.
Project Implementation Institution/Agencies
A number of public and private sector institutions/
agencies are involved in programme activities of the
Initiative. The activities and institutions are as follows:Seed Production
-
National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI);
-
West
African
Rice
Development
Association
(WARDA);
-
National Seed Service (NSS);
-
Seed Companies and seed out-growers; and
-
Plant Quarantine Service (PQS).
Extension and Publicity
-
Arable Crops Division, Federal Department of
Agriculture;
5
-
FDA Field Offices;
-
Post-Harvest Technology Division (FDA);
-
Department of Agricultural Land Resources; and
-
National Agricultural Extension Research Liaison
Services (NAERLS).
Group Mobilization
-
Federal department of Agriculture
-
Federal Department of Cooperatives
Training
-
National Cereals Research Institute
-
Nation
Center
for
Agricultural
Mechanization
(NCAM)
-
ARMTI
-
NAERLS
Post Harvest Handing and Processing
-
PHTD
-
Division for Mechanization & Engineering, FDA.
-
Private processing companies.
Irrigation and Land Development
-
Federal Ministry of Water Resources
-
Federal Development of Agriculture
Project Co-ordination
-
Federal Department of Agriculture
6
Strategies for Project Implementation
These include:
i.
Intensification of production to increase crop area
and yield per unit area;
ii.
Improved agronomic practices;
iii.
Strengthening of the extension delivery system;
iv.
Provision of credit to rice farmers from a revolving
loan to be deposited at NACRDB;
v.
Effective research support;
vi.
Rehabilitation of existing large and small scale
irrigation schemes;
vii.
Construction of small earth dams particularly
through expertise from the South-South Cooperation Initiative;
viii. Timely availability of production inputs;
ix.
Improved processing and storage techniques;
x.
Strengthening
groups; and
xi.
Use of the R-Box technology which emphasizes
minimum tillage and ensures provision of
production inputs.
of
existing
co-operation/farmers
Activities in 2004
Funding
In addition to the normal budgetary provisions, funding
for project implementation in 2004 was augmented from the
10% surcharge on imported rice.
7
Seed Production
Availability of breeder, foundation and certified seeds
continue to pose one of the greatest challenges in project
implementation.
Funds were made available to NCRI and
WARDA for the production of breeder and foundation seeds.
Seed production by WARDA is an effort put in place to
hasten the availability of the much desired NERICA I (FARO
55) upland rice variety. The National Seed Service worked
closely with Seed Companies, Agricultural Development
Projects (ADPS) and out growers to ensure production of
good quality certified seeds for the 2005 cropping season.
R-Box (Rice Box) Technology
R-Box (Rice Box) is an initiative of a private agrochemical
company,
The
Candel
Company
Limited
in
collaboration with public and private sector collaborators
namely:-
Premier Seed (Nig) Ltd;
-
Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN);
-
Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA);
-
National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI);
-
National Seed Service (NSS);
-
Agricultural Development Programmes (FCT &
Niger State); and
8
-
West Africa Development Association (WARDA) to
introduce for adoptive an improved technology for
rice cultivation based on conservation tillage.
The technology is to improve the productivity of the
small-scale rice farmers through reduction of drudgery and
high labour cost while increasing yield. The R-Box contains
production inputs needed to plant a quarter hectare of land.
It however, does not include granular fertilizers which are
needed for its successful use.
The R-Box technology was
tried on rice farmers’ fields in 2003 in Federal Capital
Territory and Niger State. The trials were very successful
with average yield of 5.0 tons per hectare under irrigated
lowland
conditions.
The
successes
recorded
in
2003
encouraged the Initiative to conduct more trials in twenty
five states including the FCT in 2004.
The states covered during the year 2004 were Lagos,
Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Enugu,
Imo,
Cross
River,
Abia,
Anambra,
Akwa
Ebonyi,
Ibom,
Edo,
Bayelsa, FCT, Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Rivers, Delta, Kogi,
Niger and Nasarawa.
The field work had been concluded
and data retrieval for analyses by NCRI had been concluded
also.
Distribution of R-Box
On presentation of the R-Box to Mr. President, it was
formally
adopted
production
by
him
promotional
as
a
Federal
strategy
aimed
9
Government
at
getting
unadulterated production inputs to farmers.
The Candel
Company Limited was awarded a contract for the supply of
86,005 R-Boxes for distribution to rice farmers at 50%
subsidy. The unit cost of the R-Box is #6,800.00.
are
therefore
purchased.
expected
to
pay
#3,400.00
Farmers
per
R-Box
The R-Boxes would be distributed by a State
Committee
comprising
Agriculture
(Chairman),
the
State
Chairman
Commissioner
RIFAN,
Director
of
of
Agriculture, Project Manager/Managing Director, State ADPs
and FDA Field Officer (Secretary).
Extension Delivery and Training
Effective extension delivery can only be achieved
through provision of extension materials and training of
Extension Agents.
producing
It is in this regard that the NAERLS is
extension
materials
such
as
Radio/TV
Programmes, extension bulletins, flip charts etc while the
NCRI
conducted
train-the-trainer
workshops
on
rice
production and processing technologies in all geopolitical
zones for Subject Matter Specialists and members of RIFAN.
Group Mobilization
The
Federal
Department
of
Co-operatives
in
collaboration with the Federal Department of Agriculture
conducted six workshops for rice farmers co-operatives at
one per geo-political zones in December, 2004.
The
workshops were aimed at sensitizing rice farmers to form
10
more
co-operative
groups
to
enable
them
participate
effectively in the Presidential Rice Initiative.
Achievements
The following achievements have been recorded todate in the implementation of the Rice Initiative:i.
The implementation plan had been approved by the
Federal Executive Council;
ii.
A Ministerial Steering Committee is already in place
under the chairmanship of the Permanent Secretary
with all Directors as members to provide
implementation direction;
iii.
R-Box technology had been adopted for promotion of
paddy production;
iv.
Inauguration of the Zonal Rice Development
Committee for Rice Zone 1 comprising SouthWestern States and Kwara;
v.
The conduct of 6 number Train-the-Trainer
Workshops in all the geo-political zones during which
a total of 370 Extension Agents were trained on Rice
Production and Processing Technologies;
vi.
The holding of 6 No TAC meetings, one per geopolitical zone to discuss modalities and strategies for
successful implementation of the Initiative;
vii.
The holding of stakeholders meeting to discuss seeds
production, extension, publicity, sensitization and
group mobilization at NCRI, Badeggi;
viii.
Conduct of Facilitation Training Workshops at 10
venues for 1,250 farmers, 125 Extension Agents and
11
25
FDA
Field
Officers
preparatory
implementation of the 2004 R-Box trials;
to
the
ix.
Establishment of Management Training Plots for
continuation of R-Box technology trials in 25 States
including the FCT. A total of 1,250 farmers, 125 EAs
and 25 Field Officers participated in the programme;
x.
Monitoring of the R-Box trials in 9 out of the 25
participating States;
xi.
Purchase and distribution of 250 knapsack sprayers
to the 25 States that participated in the R-Box trial in
2004;
xii.
Supply of 86,005 R-Boxes ordered from The Candel
Company Limited for distribution to States is in
progress.
xiii.
The holding of two stakeholder’s workshops at Enugu
and Kaduna in December, 2004 to discuss project
implementation.
CASSAVA
STRATEGIES FOR PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
(i)
Production of 9.2 million bundles of breeder stock
by year 2007 by the National Root Crops Research
Institute (NRCRI), Umudike;
(ii)
Production of 73.2 million bundles of foundation
stock by the Root and Tuber Expansion
Programme (RTEP);
(iii) Production of 250.0 million bundles of certified
stock by the year 2007 by the State Agricultural
Development Programme (ADPs). ADPs are to
12
establish multiplication centres to enable farmers
have access to improve cassava varieties;
(iv) Training of fabricators by the National Centre for
Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM);
(v)
Conduct of Programme Facilitation and
Sensitization Workshop for cassava producing
states;
(vi) Establishment of Federal, State and Local
Government Implementation Committees;
(See Annexes 1A, IB, and IC for composition);
(vii) Establishment of Farm-gate Primary Processing
Centres for the production of primary products like
cassava flour, chips and pellets;
(viii) Undertake publicity through the production and
distribution of production and processing guides
and posters;
(ix) Training of state extension staff;
(x) Encourage market development through trade
missions, etc.
Suffice to say, that, some of the targets had too
be reviewed/scaled down in line with reduced budgetary
allocation.
These reviewed targets (for year 2004) are as
follows;
(a)
Production of breeder stock by the National
Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI)
Umudike;
13
(b)
Production of 72,000 bundles of foundation
stock (FS) by the Root and Tuber Expansion
Programme (RTEP) Ijebu Ife;
(c)
Production of 576,000 bundles of certified
stock
(CS)
by
states’
Agricultural
Development Projects (ADP)
(d)
Establishment of six (6) No farm – gate
primary processing centres by the National
Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM)
and Post – Harvest Technology Division
(PHTD) of FDA;
(e)
Training of 30 No. Cassava Equipment
fabricators by the National Centre for
Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM);
(f)
Conduct of Programme Facilitation and
Sensitization Workshop in 2 locations (Ibadan
and Lokoja) for cassava producing states;
(g)
Undertake effective land management and
soil conservation methods;
(h)
Publicity
through
distribution of:
the
production
and
-
8,500 production guides
-
8,500 posters by the Institute of
Agricultural Research and Training
(IAR&T) Ibadan
-
13,750 processing extension guides by
the National Centre for Agricultural
Mechanization (NCAM) Ilorin;
14
ACHIEVEMENT
The modest achievements recorded so far in year 2004
are as follows:
(i)
Establishment of the National Cassava Development
Committee (NCDC) and the National Technical
Implementation Committee (NTIC).
(ii)
27.5ha foundation stocks planted by RTEP to produce
11,000 cassava
bundles.
(iii) Provision of planting materials to Ekha Agro Farms for
the take-off of the planting of its 6,000 ha farm by
RTEP.
(iv) Programme Facilitation and sensitization Workshop
conducted at the
Moor
Plantation,
Ibadan
and
th
th
Confluence Hotel Lokoja from 8 – 12 November
2004 for cassava producing states. 500 participants
attended the workshops.
(V)
14 fabricators from Anambra, FCT, Lagos, Osun, Ondo,
Kwara, Benue, Akwa
Ibom, Nassarawa, Sokoto,
Taraba, Plateau, Kogi and Niger were trained at
NCAM Ilorin in the production of four (4) cassava
production/processing
technologies namely:-
(a)
Cassava peeling tool;
(b)
Manual cassava harvester;
©
Motorized cassava chipping machine; and
(d)
Motorized cassava grater
(iv) 48 Subject Matter Specialists (SMSs) from Lagos,
Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Kwara and Kogi
States ADPs participated in the 1st zonal Train the
15
trainers workshop organised by IAR&T, Ibadan on
behalf of the Federal Department of Agriculture on the
at the Ondo state ADP Headquarters Akure.
(vii)
Arrangements have been concluded for the
establishment of six (6) farm-gate primary
processing centres;
(viii)
IAR&T Ibadan has concluded arrangements for the
production of 8,500 production extension guides
and 8,500 posters for distribution to farmers.
(ix)
NCAM is producing 13,750 processing extension
guides.
(x)
Trade missions were undertaken to Latin America,
Europe, six African countries and China to source
for market for cassava products;
(xi)
Full participation in the cassava Exhibition/Forum
for stakeholders at Aso Rock Banquet Hall from 7th
– 8th June, 2004.
(xii)
Participation in the Presidential meeting with Flour
Millers and Bakers and other stakeholders on the
legislation of the inclusion of 10% cassava with
wheat flour from January 2005 at Aso Villa. Flour
millers are already aligning with this policy as
attested to by the Flour Mills of Nigeria advert in
the Punch Newspaper of December 27th 2004.
CONSTRAINTS
Identified constraints include;
(i)
Inadequate
and
untimely
fund
release
for
programme execution despite identified socio –
economic benefits of the programme;
16
(ii)
Lack of funds to procure essential processing
machinery and equipment which will create
increase demand for cassava root;
(iii) Non-establishment of State/Local Government
implementation Committees.
WAY FORWARD
(i)
There is need for increase funding of the
programme to meet set targets.
(ii)
Funds should be released on time, as agricultural
activities are time specific.
In this light, we are
suggesting that, 50% of funds be released in 1st
quarter, 25% in 2nd and 25% in 3rd quarter of
every year;
(iii) Due process need to be accelerated;
(iv) State and Local Government Areas (LGA’s) should
as a matter of urgency constitute State and Local
Government Implementation Committees;
(v)
Government should put in place machinery that
will ease producers, processors and marketers
access to credit;
(vi) Government should facilitate increase farm
mechanization
through
the
sale
of
tractors/machinery at subsidized rate to reduce
production cost;
(vii) State and Local Governments should increase
level of funding for cassava development.
17
PRESIDENTIAL INITITATIVE ON VEGETABLE OIL
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (VODEP)
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The action plan of the Presidential Committee covered
5 crops namely: oil palm, groundnut, cotton, soyabean and
cocoa. The major goals to be achieved under the crops are
presented hereunder:
A.
Tree crops Based Oil Seeds
i)
Oil Palm – Development of 1 million hectares of oil
palm capable of producing 15 million Fresh Fruit
Bunches (FFB), or 2.25 million tonnes of palm oil;
ii)
Cocoa – to catalyze the production of cocoa butter
through promoting the replanting of about 80,000
hectares of existing holdings, input supply and
sustenance of compensation credit to farmers.
B.
Arable Crop Based Oil Seeds
i)
Groundnut – Development of 6.25 million hectares of
groundnut capable of producing 5 million tonnes of
groundnut;
ii)
Soyaben – Development of 678,000 hectares capable
of producing 678,000 tonnes of soyabean;
iii)
Cotton – Development of 1.25 million hectares capable
of producing 1 million tonnes of seed cotton.
18
KEY PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES/STRATEGIES
The strategies and specific activities proposed to bring
about the attainment of the goals of the VODEP programme
between 2003 and 2007 are as follows:
Oil Palm
i)
Rehabilitation of existing plantings (125,000ha) below
30 years of age;
ii)
Replanting of moribund plantations of above 30 years
of age (62,000ha);
iii)
New plantings (203,000ha);
iv)
Massive production of seedlings (58.5 million);
v)
Establishment of 5ha seed garden at NIFOR;
vi)
Capacity building for farmers and processors;
vii) Responsive organizations are FMA&RD/FDA, NIFOR,
organized private sector (producers and processors)
and network of out-growers.
Cocoa
i)
Replanting of moribund plantations of above 30 years
of age (80,000ha);
ii)
Massive production of cocoa seedlings (about 88.5
million) and plantain suckers (about 20.63 million);
iii)
Procurement of critical inputs
iv)
Fiscal incentives required for profitable production;
19
v)
Responsible organization are: FMA&RD/FDA, NCDC,
CRIN, organized private sector (producers and
processors) and relevant out-growers.
Groundnut
i)
Procurement of foundation, certified and breeder’s
seeds;
ii)
Expansion of land under cultivation to 6.25 million ha;
iii)
Support for rehabilitation of post harvest facilities and
processing plants;
iv)
Capacity building targeted at smallholders;
v)
Responsible organizations are: FMA&RD, NSS/Plant
Quarantine Service, IAR/ABU, ADPs and private sector
processors.
Soyabean
i)
Production of 25 tonnes of breeder seed by NCRI;
ii)
Production of Foundation Seed by Out-growers;
iii)
Rehabilitation of obsolete mills and provision of postharvest facilities such as dryers, threshers and
cleaners;
iv)
Expansion of land area under cultivation;
v)
Capacity building for small farmers;
vi)
Responsible Organization: Private Sector Processors,
Out-growers, Seed Association of Nigeria, National
Seed Service, NCRI etc.
20
Cotton
i)
Procurement of 13,500 tonnes of cotton for planting in
2003 season;
ii)
Production of breeder and foundation seeds by IAR/ABU
and increase in yield/ha by 50%;
iii)
Expansion of land under cultivation to 1.25 million
hectares;
iv)
Procurement of chemicals and labeled packaging bags;
v)
Capacity building for small farmers;
vi)
Responsible organization: Cotton Revolving Fund
Management Committee, IA/ABU, Private/Public Sector
out-growers.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Oil Palm
i).
Inventorization of Mills/Plant Machinery
ii)
Raising of 112,841 seedlings
iii)
Upgrading of NIFOR’s Seed Production Capacity and
55ha seed garden
iv)
Support for privatization of Ore-Irele, Ayip-Eku and
Ihechiowa
(v) Training of Nursery Operators and SSPE fabricators
(vi) Bench Mark Survey of fabricators/extractors
21
Cocoa
i)
Raising of 258,250 cocoa seedlings production
and 60,000 plantain suckers
ii)
Operational assistance to PBDP
Groundnut
i)
Production of 500kg breeder seed
ii)
Buyback of 29.27 tonnes of foundation seed from
SEEDAN
iii)
Buyback of 55.79 tons of certified seed from SEEDAN
iv)
Certification of seed farms and quality control
v)
Fabrication of (2) groundnut oil expellers
vi)
Bench mark survey of fabricators and extractors in
(18) States
vii)
Production of jingles and replication into 18 copies
Soyabean
i)
Buyback of 24.71 tonnes of certified seed from
SEEDAN in liaison with NSS
ii)
Buyback of 7 tons of Foundation seed from NCRI and
SEEDAN
iii)
Buyback of 715kg breeder seed from NCRI
22
iv)
Fabrication of two dyers
quality control
seed certification and
v)
Production of jingles and replication into 20 copies
Cotton
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
Buyback of 175.12 tonnes of pure cotton seeds
(foundation/certified) from NSS out-growers by CRFMC
Production of 1.800kg breeder seed of six cultivars
Procurement of 70,000 CRFMC labeled packaging bags
Procurement of seed dressing chemical (apricot or
apron star)
v)
Train-the-trainer course
vi)
Chemical seed dressing of 131.34 tonnes of pure cotton
seed
vii) Conduct of Cotton Forum
CONSTRAINTS
Major constraints associated with the programme include:
i)
Inefficient and ageing milling/processing equipment
and inability to procure and install new ones due largely
to high off-shore costs;
ii)
High cost of farm machineries and other production
inputs;
iii)
Fluctuations in the price of vegetable oil due in part, to
importation of vegetable oils of all sorts into the
country;
iv)
Delay in Due Process certification of projects;
23
(v)
Inadequate and untimely funding of the programme.
WAY FORWARD
i)
The Committee should explore other sources of funding
to complement the provisions by Government. The
private sector agencies should be encouraged to make
financial commitments to the programme;
ii)
Every effort should be made to expedite Due Process
Certification of projects and subsequent release of
funds to the programme.
CONCLUSION
Modest achievements have been recorded in the
programme implementation at the Federal level despite the
inadequate and untimely release of funds for programme
execution.
The States and Local Governments are yet to be aware
of their responsibilities of this programme due to noninauguration of Implementation Committees at the State
and Local Government levels, this continue to give the
impression that the Presidential Initiatives are exclusive
programmes
of
the
Federal
Government.
Timely
inauguration of these committees will give the programme a
national
outlook
which
is
needed
implementation of the programme.
24
for
successful
Furthermore, sources of funding to compliment the
provisions by the government should be looked into, while
private sectors and agencies should be encouraged to made
financial commitments to the programme.
It is my hope that awareness created today on status
of implementation of the Presidential Initiatives at this
Conference will accelerate programme implementation.
25