THE President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Monday, January 20, 2014 explained the reasons he approved the disbursement of N14 billion for the expansion of 2014 dry season farming.
The approval came at the official launch of the Dry Season Farm Support Programme at the banquet hall of Presidential Villa, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The president had disclosed that in 2013, the sum of N9 million was approved for the dry season farming, but assured that the fund would continue to increase as more farmers key into the programme.
With the foregoing, industry analysts observed that the programme is enjoying over 80 per cent increase based on the current approval of N14b by Mr. President in January.
The Federal Government, Mr. President had said, would ensure that the dry season food support programme becomes a national food policy of government, and directed the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) to make certain that the programme commences not later than October of a preceding year.
“Our resolve is to expand this dry season programme is strong and subsequently it has to come up in October so that they will get all that they needed before the commencement of the dry season.
“To demonstrate this, I am today announcing N14 billion to support dry season farming for 2014 season. As more states come on board we will continue to increase the amount of money.
“We will continue to work with farmers and that is why I am announcing today that the support will become a national policy. Our nation shall be green, our barns shall be filled and our farmers shall prosper,’’ President Jonathan declared.
NaijaAgroNet also gathered that the programme was launched initially in 2011 with the goal of adding an additional 20 million metric tonnes of food to the country’s domestic food supply.
The President further said 600,000 farmers, representing an increase of about 1.5 per cent over the numbers of participants in 2013, had already registered for the programme.
Jonathan said that the administration would continue to expand the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) to reach many more millions farmers.
“It is our hope that we will reach 10 million farmers by the end of this year with improved seeds, fertilisers and other production imputes, including farms machinery hiring centres.
“The ministry is working to establish centres where tractors can be accessed at reduced prices. We are working to improve the access of farmers to markets,” he said.
He also said the administration had completed silos across the country with a total capacity of 1.3 million metric tonnes.
The president said the silos would be used to support private sector efforts to establish world class agricultural exchanges.
Jonathan said that the government would encourage the establishment of marketing corporations to replace the former marketing boards.
According to him, it will help to improve markets and trade opportunities for farmers.
In his remarks to the occasion, the chairman, Federal House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture,
Honourable Mohammed Monguno, assured Nigerians and Mr. President of his committee’s continuous support by sponsoring a Growth Enhancement Support Scheme bill aimed at preventing policy somersault by successive government.
Also, the Senate Committee Chairman on Agriculture, Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha, had commended the GES and E-Wallet programmes of the federal government.
Equally commenting, the Governors of Kebbi, Gombe and Kogi who were at the launch, used the opportunity to share the level of growth of agriculture in their respective states.
Beneficiaries of the GES were also on ground to share their experiences, while some showcased products and services, whereas they applauded President Jonathan’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA).
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