FG to encourage private sector-driven mechanised farming

Amid concern of looming food crisis in the North-East, the Federal Government is to promote a private-driven agricultural mechanisation programme to boost food security in the country.

This is in line with the agricultural promotion policy of the government to achieve self-sufficiency in food production, encourage value addition to local materials and diversify the economy.

Bukar Hassan, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, stated this in his opening remark at the 42nd regular meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday.
President Muhammadu Buhari


Hassan said as part of efforts to boost food production and guarantee food security, the private-driven mechanisation programme would operate a machinery hiring enterprise scheme to also facilitate manufacturing of durable farm machinery that can withstand the varied geographical terrain and climatic condition of the country’s diverse ecosystem.

He explained that the reforms in the agricultural sector embarked upon by this administration would improve access of Nigerian farmers to import and credit. He further said there would also be emphasis on effective application of research results and increase commodity output to enhance processing capacity and broaden market access for farmers.

The permanent secretary vouched for government’s commitment to its agricultural promotion policy because of its belief that through it, the country will achieve self-sufficiency in food production, expand opportunity for job creation, reduce import dependency and stimulate export activities across the country.

In another development, the United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, has put the responsibility of protecting the forests on Nigerians, saying much could be obtained from tourism.

Speaking at Drill Ranch in Calabar yesterday to commemorate Earth Day celebration, the ambassador said the U.S. government gets as much as $600 million yearly from Yellow Stone National Park, saying only Nigerians can decide the future of their country to get much given its biodiversity.

Director of Drill Ranch, Liza Gadsby, who had earlier conducted dignitaries round the ranch, said: “Nigeria has over 9.6 hectares of forest as the Cross River National Park (CRNP) represents two-thirds of Nigeria’s surviving tropical rainforest.”


The Guardian

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Agric forum to encourage greater technology use by women

Image
Organizers of a one-day agricultural forum for women in Benin, the Edo State capital, have said the event will focus on increasing the awareness of available agricultural and outreach technologies for women in agriculture. The forum which will be anchored by Market Development Programme in the Niger Delta (MADE) with funding from UK Aid, is collaborating with Markets II, funded by USAID and Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta, PIND and the Edo State Cooperative Farmers’ Agency is being held for womenas part of activities to mark this year’s International Women’s Day. Mr. Fidelis Ekom, MADE’s Communications and Advocacy Manager, in a statement at the weekend said the forum also seeks to facilitate mindset change for women in the adoption of modern technologies and to facilitate engagement between women in agriculture and relevant value chain actors. Ekom said the forum will bring together women farmers in aquaculture, cassava, palm oil, poultry, hon
Read more

7 FEPSAN members to produce 1m tonnes under Presidential Fertiliser Initiative

Image
Seven active blending companies within the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) have been revived and are among the 1st of five batches that would produce 1 million tonnes of fertiliser under the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative, Thomas Etuh, President of FEPSAN has said. Etuh who disclosed this while speaking on Presidential Fertiliser Initiative noted that most of the plants owned by FEPSAN members are being revived after being dormant for over a decade. He expressed the hope that more plants would join the initiative before the end of April “Some of the blending plants which have already been supplied with raw materials including phosphate from Morocco and are blending include Fertiliser and Chemicals Ltd, Kaduna, producing 300,000 metric tonnes; Al-Yuma Fertilizer Company (300,000 metric tonnes) in Madobi-Kano; Kano Agricultural Supply Company, supplying 15 trailers daily and Golden Fertiliser based in Lagos. “Others blending plants ha
Read more

Saudi investors identify Kwara as host for proposed Agric City

Image
In a move that will further boost food security in Nigeria and contribute to the diversification agenda of the government, Zain Al-abdin Group, an investment company based in Saudi Arabia, has announced plans to set up a multi-purpose Agric City in Kwara State. Speaking to newsmen at the end of his visit to the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed in Ilorin, Zain Al-Abdin Nafawi, Chairman of Zain Al-abdin Group said the city or settlement will comprise a cluster of farms specialising in cultivation, processing and export of rice, maize and vegetables. Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, Governor, Kwara State   Governor Ahmed in his welcome speech to the Saudi delegation noted that the multimillion dollar investment is in line with the state government’s plan to broaden the state’s economy, feed the people and provide feed stock for industries. He expressed delight at the decision of the Saudi group to invest in Kwara State. Nafawi who led the delegation including other
Read more