Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello said that employing commercial-mechanical-agriculture will lead to food security and improve local farmers.
Governor Sani Bello stated this when he received the All Farmers Association, led by its Chairman, Alh. Shehu Galadima at the Government House, Minna.
He said the country’s population was fast growing and unless mechanised agriculture is practiced, the country would not be able to feed the nation or its neighbours.
“We have vast land, good temperature for agriculture but we are not known for best practices when it comes to agriculture, our farmers are suffering.
“We must find a way to marry mechanized-commercial-agriculture and subsistence agriculture with the local people so that they work hand in hand”, he said.
He said some countries have indicated their readiness to come down to Niger State to work ,saying this would be of advantage to the farmers, especially in areas of transfer of science and technology in the agriculture sector.
The Governor who acknowledged that the security challenges especially in Northern Nigeria may have adverse effect on the prices of food, expressed optimism that the situation would be brought under control as efforts are being intensified towards putting an end to the menace.
“Banditry is a great concern and it has moved a lot of people out of their lands”, he added.
He added that the Federal Government’s presence was needed both in terms of security support and the provision of agricultural facilities as it was done during Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s government where the Directorate for Food Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DIFRRI) was established.
“It is beyond the state government the Federal Government should support the state government with a lot of rural infrastructure”, he stated.
The Governor assured the All Farmers Association, Niger State branch of his administration’s support adding that soon he will meet with them and some foreign investors.
“We want to strengthen the Niger State Commodity and Export Promotion Agency with your corporation so that we have a one-stop-shop”, he said.
He said ,the one-stop shop will ensure that farmers are not cheated and it will help in determining prices of food.
Meanwhile,the Governor has directed the Secretary to the State Government(SSG), to coordinate the activities along with the Ministries of Investment, Agriculture and Livestock to meet with the Association to determine farmers that would benefit from certain incentives that will boost farming activities in the state.
Earlier, the Chairman of the All Farmers Association, Alhaji Shehu Galadima appreciated the Governor for his unflinching support to farmers which was evident in last year’s harvest.
Alh. Galadima called for more support, especially in the area of irrigation farming to serve as a guide to food security due to insecurity challenges in some parts of the state.
Also in her presentation, the 19 Northern States Woman Leader, of the Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN), Hajiya Aishatu Abdullahi said that the Association came top in Maize production for 2020 and 2021 in a programme in Katsina and Kaduna respectively.
She attributed the victories to the tremendous support of the state government.
The Woman Leader said their excellent performance has earned the state the opportunity to host the regional office of the Association hence, She requested for two hectares of land that will House their office and a warehouse.
She applauded the Governor’s effort in his fight against terrorists as most farmers have now resumed their farming activities.
