By Oboh Linus
Stakeholders in Nasarawa State have applauded Gov Abdullahi Sule for prioritising agricultural development in the State.
They gave this commendation while speaking on the sectorial achievements of Gov Sule’s two years of second term in office on in Lafia.
Mr Tanko Tunga, the state Commissioner for Agriculture
Said that the Nasarawa State under the leadership of Gov Abdullahi Sule had demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the growth of the agriculture sector.
Tunga said that the administration of Gov Sule in the last two years had keyed into the Renewed of Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu on food sufficiency and food security.
The Commissioner said that the State had acquired 10,000 hectares of land last year and cultivated 2,000 hectares of rice farms to boost food security in the state.
Tunga said that the state under
administration of Gov Sule has been consistent in the distribution of farm inputs and implements to the farmers like fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, and improved seeds at a subsidised rate.
He stated that the Nasarawa State government under the leadership of Gov Sule had partnered with Bobtrack Tractors to establish an assembly plant in the state.
“This partnership is to enable the Company to make use of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) facilities in Lafia to assemble tractors and provide affordable and high-quality tractors to farmers in the state.
“Plans are underway to expand our rice farm this year, you will recall that the state government earlier this year distributed over 200 bags of paddy rice to the 13 Local Government chairmen to key into farming.
“Under this administration, the agriculture sector has given the desired attention, just last year and earlier this year this administration had distributed over 40 tractors to farmers to boost production,” he said.
On his part, Mr Umaru Nuhu, Programme Manager, Nasarawa Agricultural Development Programme commended Gov Sule for giving a premium to the agriculture sector.
He said the state government through the NADP has made available varieties of improved and reliable seeds like rice, maize, and other farm inputs such as herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides for sale to boost crop production.
“Having understood what it means to have food security, we give out information that is beneficial to farmers in the state. We usually go on air to advertise our product to farmers to increase their productivity,’ he said.
On her part, Mrs Jummai Yohanna, Chairperson, Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria (SWOFON), while commending Gov Sule’s agricultural development, called for increased allocation to the agriculture sector and involvement of SWOFON in government empowerment programme. (NAN)