By Samuel
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mustapha Shehuri, has identified the integration of housing and farming sectors as a solution to the increasing migration of farmers from rural to urban centres in Nigeria.
Shehuri made the observation on Tuesday while speaking at the opening ceremony of the first virtual edition of the Abuja International Housing Show (AIHS).
The minister explained that farmers should be able to own houses through their agricultural activities.
He added that the federal government is considering a programme to allow farmers own houses under the proposed Agricultural Industrial Parks, Green Houses, and Staple Crops Processing Zones.
According to him, house ownership will boost farmers’ confidence in agribusiness and also improve the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and her overall economy.
Shehuri, however, said ownership by farmers is only possible under well-developed programmes and policies.
The junior minister, therefore, called for a linkage between the housing and agricultural sectors.
Shehuri said, “The commitment of the present administration to agriculture and rural development has birthed a lot of policies and programmes that are already making significant differences in the sector.
“It is envisaged that farmers should be entitled to the opportunity of owning a home through their farming activities executed around the proposed Agricultural Industrial Parks, Green Houses, and Staple Crops Processing Zones.
“The yield from their farms which are sold to off-takers guarantees them adequate security to demand a housing loan or mortgage.”