By AgroNigeria
To further fast-track efforts toward advancing the state’s agriculture sector, the Zamfara state government has budgeted N6 billion for the acquisition of assorted fertilizers, to kick off the 2020 farming season.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Aminu Suleiman Yarkofoji while presenting the budget tagged “Budget of peace and renewal of hope”, pointed that it was targeted at revitalizing the agriculture sector in the state to create more job opportunities for the youths.
“We also proposed one billion for the total overhauling of fertilizer blending plant owned by the State government,” he said.
According to Yarkofoji, the IFAD programme in the state would receive funds with over N500 million to aid the expansion of its programme to cover all the 14 local government areas of the state.
He noted that a total sum of N350 million was allocated for the provision of tractors with full implements to be used in the state.
The commissioner further urged the state House of Assembly members to approve the budget proposal in good time, while also reiterating the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with experts to ensure that the successful implementation of the budget.
On his part, Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Honourable Mohammad Ahmad revealed that the committee has decided to invite heads of ministries, parastatals, and agencies to address the discrepancies in the budget anomalies.
He assured the commissioner of the assembly’s willingness to pass the budget on time.
By AgroNigeria
To effectively reduce unemployment and ensure food security in the country, the Nigeria Farmers Group and Cooperative Society (NFGCS) has called on the Federal Government to increase its funding of the agriculture sector.
Speaking during the society’s third annual general meeting, the National Coordinator of NFGCS, Mr. Retson Tedheke, said that increased investment in the sector would improve small scale farmers’ productivity and income through value chain development and encouragement of farmers’ cooperative groups.
He also emphasized that the same would also assist Nigerians in maximizing the potentials embedded in the sector.
Tedheke, however, lamented the poor agricultural infrastructure available in the country, stating that it is below what the farmers need to produce locally.
He further reiterated the need for investments in machinery, infrastructure, agro-processing, research, and every sector of the economy capable of supporting a massive revolution in agriculture.
Tedheke urged the government to make low-interest loans available to rice farmers and also to make the environment more conducive for their activities.
He said, “We cannot become competitive with a high loan interest rate, but we can become competitive when the loans are coming between five to 10 percent. These are some of the things that are making things easier for farmers in other countries. If we support local producers of rice in Nigeria, we are adding to the creation of employment.” He added.