Nasarawa Govt., Rice Farmers To Attract N10bn Investment From CBN.

The Nasarawa State government in collaboration with Rice Farmers Association has announced its readimess with plans already concluded to attract investment to the tune of N10bn, to assist rice farmers in the state, under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) anchor borrowers scheme.

Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule, Executive Governor of Nasarawa State

Nasarawa State governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, disclosed this while flagging-off the sales of fartilizer and other agricultural inputs, for this year’s raining season, at Andaha, in Akwanga Local Government Area, on Thursday.

The governor restated the determination of his administration to ensure that agricultural potentials of the state are fully harnessed for the overall benefit of the people.

According to Engineer Sule, until the state is able to exploit its agricultural potentials properly, Nasarawa may not be able to generate the desired employment for the teeming populace, as well as create wealth for the wellbeing of the society.

The governor emphasized that government must take deliberate steps, as well as evolve means of improving the state’s internal revenue generation capacity.

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To this end, Engineer Sule said, and in a bid to foster partnerships and collaborations, aimed at giving agriculture its place of pride, the state government recently hosted some important visitors including Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, management of the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization, chief executive and management team of the Institute for Agricultural Research, chief executive of Dangote Group of Company and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, among others.

“This endeavour epitomizes the readiness of our Administration to foster partnerships and collaboration towards giving agriculture its pride of place.

“I am happy to inform that Government has already concluded plans in collaboration with the Rice Farmers Association to attract investment of a whopping of sum of N10 Billion to assist rice farmers in the State under the CBN’s Anchor Borrowers Programme,” he stated.

While reiterating the commitment of his administration to develop agriculture because of its huge potentials in the state, the governor stressed that government will continue to partner and collaborate with development partners, as well as investors in the agricultural sector, in order to reduce poverty, improve income, create employment, produce raw materials for industrial growth, as well as attain food security.

Speaking on the event, Engineer Sule disclosed that his administration is flagging-off the sales of a total of 1,020 metric tons which is 20,400 thousand bags of fertilizer, 1,950 sprayers, 5 tons improved seeds and assorted agro-chemicals.

He disclosed further that effort is underway to procure more quantities of fertilizer to help rejuvenate most of our soils that have remained less fertile and unproductive.

The governor emphasized that the fertilizer will be sold to farmers at subsidized rate of N5000 only per bag.

He recalled that, last year, the state government procured and distributed 240 metric tons of assorted fertilizers to dry season farmers at subsidized rates, while also procuring 930 metric tons (18,600 bags) of NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer for the year 2020 cropping season, aimed at improving agricultural production in the state.

The governor charged beneficiaries to ensure judicious use of the commodity to increase their yields.

“I wish to also charge the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources and the Local Government Distribution Committee to ensure that the relevant Small Holder Farmers benefit from this gesture of Government,” he said.

Engineer Sule warned against any attempt to hijack the sales of fertilizer and other farming inputs, stressing that violators will be met with stiff punitive measures, irrespective of their status in the society.

“Coordinators at various levels are to ensure remittance of sales to the designated bank account as any misappropriation will be meted with appropriate sanction.

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“I should also caution individuals and groups against purchasing the commodity and selling to farmers at exorbitant rates,” to the governor warned.

Insecurity: Kogi Deploys Forest Guards To Checkmate Herders, Kidnappers During Farming Season.

Idris Ahmed, Lokoja.

Concerned by the nefarious activities of herdsmen and kidnappers, Kogi state government has concluded necessary arrangement to deploy forest guards across the state to ensure safety of farmers throughout the farming season.

Kogi State Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. David Apeh

Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. David Apeh, who spoke to some Journalists through the Director Agricultural Services, Mr Okolo Ichaka, said the measure became necessary in view of the negative effects insecurity poses to food production in the state.

He said government would not fold its arms and watch criminals starve the population of food despite the abundant arable farm land God has blessed the state .

The Commissioner said the able bodied men and women of the forest guard brigade in the state will be closely supervised by Forest Rangers and other conventional security officers.

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While encouraging the farmers to starts the season by clearing their farms in readiness for planting, however advised them to select crops that are suitable for particular period of the wet season, as crops grow distinctly in accordance with the volume of the rains.

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Hon. Apeh who disclosed that government is prepared to aid farmers in procuring herbicides, insecticides and other inputs at subsidized cost, assured that all required assistance shall be rendered to ensure massive food production in this farming season.

He said already at least 5 tractors have been allocated to all the 21 local government areas of the state, while all the broken down tractors are being refurbished to boost the fleet for a farming season.

Apeh promised to ensure equitable distribution of fertilizer as soon as the federal government releases allocation and costs to the states.

According to the Commissioner, the ministry of Agriculture will also provide seedlings of assorted crops, fruits and vegetables at affordable prices.

Ondo State Govt. Organises Stakeholder’s Roundtable On Benefits Of Cannabis Plant And CBD Oil In Nigeria.

Idris Ahmed, Abuja.

Determined to diversify sources of economy, the Ondo State government in conjunction with Culturepreneur Clusters Limited and other partners will on June 7 and 8, 2021 hold a stakeholders’ roundtable on the benefits and opportunities of Cannabis Plant and CBD Oil in Nigeria.

Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor on Agric and Agric Business, Mr. Akin Olotu, in a statement made available to the press in Abuja, stated that the discussion will focus on research, legalization, licensing, medical advantages, agro-economy advantages, empowerment, benefits of Internal Generated Revenues, Trade Exchange benefits aimed at furthering legislation, scientific research and sensitization on the health, industrial benefits of cannabis and CBD oil as well as engaging stakeholders’ at all levels to leverage on the multi-faceted value chain of cannabis.

The event which is slated to hold at the Dome International Cultural and Event Center in Akure , will also seek to persuade relevant arms of government on the strict regulatory measures, licensing, economic benefits of industrial benefits of cannabis plants i.e bio gas/fuel, Health benefits of CDB Oil, as well as press for genuine win -win investors and promote reliable specialized production unit of the cannabis value chain and laboratory.

Also to be highlighted are the advantages so far on the need to legalize cannabis owning to, its numerous health and economic benefits, and financial benefits of cannabis cultivation in Nigeria.

Participants will be drawn from government institutions, experts and active stakeholders’ in the value chain or research towards medical and economic prospects of cannabis plant value chain and CBD oil.

The summit will endeavor to pitch stakeholders’ to support the research and legislation of cannabis in Nigeria, which will be a quick win for foreign investment, industrialization, IGR/stock exchange, job creation, women and youth empowerment and networking, amongst others.

According to the release, the eligible targets and audience include, Medical Doctors/ Health Professionals, Pharmacists as well as Medical Researchers and Scientists

Others are soil Scientists, Seed Scientists , Legal practitioners, Media Reporters & Advocates groups, Agriculturists, Licensing and Regulatory specialists,
Investors in specific Value Chain .

Business Networking and Training Experts, Financial analysts and Business Managers, State ministries of Agriculture (crop production departments)and investors are also expected at the roundtable.

Other notable organisations relevant to the proposed meeting include, trade and commodity exchange, Insurance companies and related industrial and business institutions