The Federal Government is set to deploy advanced technology, including drones, to enhance agricultural productivity and promote all-year-round farming in Nigeria.

This was revealed by Sen. Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security during a briefing with State House correspondents on Tuesday.

Kyari emphasized that technology would play a crucial role in speeding up various agricultural processes. He stated that the government intends to use drones to accelerate land clearance, harvesting, and the deployment of agricultural chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides.

“The faster we clear land, harvest, chemical deployment, whether it’s pesticide, whether it’s herbicide, the better,” Kyari said.

He further explained the efficiency of drones, highlighting that “what one drone can do, a hundred people cannot do in a day.”

The minister noted that drones would help speed up agricultural activities, making it possible to harvest quickly and prepare the land for the next cycle of cultivation. This move is aimed at improving the efficiency of the farming process and ensuring that the land is continuously utilized for cultivation.

Support to youth engagement in Agriculture
Kyari also revealed plans for the ministry to collaborate with the private sector to support young Nigerians in taking advantage of the government’s mechanization programme.

He emphasized the importance of engaging the youth in agriculture, noting that agriculture should not only be viewed as a means of sustenance but also as a viable business opportunity.

“It is very important to also educate our farmers that agriculture is no longer for the stomach only. It should also be seen as a business, something that will earn a livelihood,” he said.

The minister acknowledged that traditional input support may not be sufficient to incentivize smallholder farmers. He stressed the need to shift the mindset of farmers, focusing on ways to engage them in a manner that encourages private sector funding to support agricultural production.

What you should know
In line with the Federal Government’s efforts to modernize agriculture through technology, the government is also set to launch a youth farmers enrollment portal aimed at creating direct jobs for Nigerian youth across the agricultural value chain.

This initiative was discussed during a visit by the Nigerian Youth Economic Engagement and De-Radicalisation Programme (NIYEEDEP) delegation to the Minister for Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, on Monday.

The portal will provide Nigerian youth with the opportunity to apply for agricultural grants and support, with the official unveiling scheduled for January 17, 2025, in Abuja.

Nigeria has got her first-ever deputy director general for the Department of State Service (DSS) in the person of Folashade Adekaiyaoja.

An indigene of Kogi State, Adekaiyaoja was appointed following an approval by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, January 14.

First of its kind, Adekaiyaoja appointment has been met with commendation from serving and retired officers of the secret police.

Sources said Adekaiyaoja’s appointment is in line with the plan to reverse DSS’ structure for better and effective leadership structure which comprises of three deputy directors.

Her appointment, some operatives have said is based on a recommendation from the agency’s Director-General through Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser.

A popular hotel in the Garki area of Abuja, Focus Holiday Inn, has been engulfed by fire.

Eyewitnesses said the fire, which began around 3 am, started from a section of the building before engulfing the three-storey structure

It was gathered that officials of the hotel were alerted when a guest ran down to the reception unclad to notify workers about the fire.

The fire, which started from a section of the three-storey building, extended to other parts of the complex, causing panic among guests and staff members.

At the time of this report, fire service officials had arrived and were trying to put out the fire.

Founded in 2022, Focus Holiday Inn describes itself as an upscale and luxurious home away from home in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital.

The cause of the fire is unclear and no casualty has so far been reported.