WED, MAY 16 2018-theG&BJournal–Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello has flagged-off the 2018 Cropping Season with the commencement of fertilizer sales, distribution of tractors and rice threshers in the state. While flagging off the sales of fertilizers and other essential farm inputs, in Minna, Governor Sani-Bello who said his administration would continue to ensure timely intervention before the beginning of the raining reason also said it will help increase food security in the state.
The Governor disclosed that in order to improve the standard of living of the people it has also keyed into the the Federal Government’s Agricultural Policies such as FADAMA III AF Project, CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme and the commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CACS) to promote commercial agricultural Development Scheme among others.
“The State Government accords the sector a priority to maximize our potentials for socio economic development of our people and the state. We have also keyed into the the Federal Government’s Agricultural Policies such as FADAMA III AF Project, CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme and the commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CACS) to promote commercial agricultural Development Scheme among others all targeted towards improving the living standards of our people,” the Governor said.
” We are also engaging in the construction and rehabilitation of rural access roads through RAMP Programme . We are doing all these to ensure accelerated development to link our rural roads to the urban sector for ease of movement of goods and services as well as increase the return of investment by our farmers.”
He explained that the state Government has come up with a new approach to service smallholder farmers, adding that “the private sector is expected to build their supply chains to reach the target farmers in the rural communities.”
The Governor who disclosed that 130 tractors valued at N2.2Billion has been procured to boost agricultural activities in the state which will also be distributed to genuine farmers at 25% subsidy also said that 50 rice threshers have been procured for free distribution to cooperatives and unions to reduce post-harvest loss in rice production.
He then pleaded for proper maintenance of the farm implements adding that an agreement has been reached with Machine Equipment Consortium Africa (MECA) and Tractor Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria (TOOAN) to manage the tractors until full payment are made by the beneficiaries.
Earlier, the commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mallam Nuhu Dukku said the government is providing agricultural machineries and equipment to ease farm cultivation and to reduce drudgery.
He further stated that the distribution of tractors and sales of fertilizers was to enable farmers to access essential farm inputs before the raining season. He then commended Governor Abubakar Sani -Bello for supporting the ministry by ensuring that enough quantity of fertilizers are made available through the government designated stores across the state.
