The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has earmarked the sum of N15.66 billion for the promotion of value chains across more than 30 different commodities nationwide.
In the approved 2019 budget, a total sum of N164.89 billion was allocated to the ministry.
A breakdown showed that N2.49 billion has been devoted to the promotion of agribusiness and market development. Also, promotion and development of Rice value chain, Wheat value chain, Soya Beans value chain, Fisheries and Aquaculture value chain to gulp N1.26 billion, N1.61 billion, N669.36 million and N578.14 million respectively.
In addition, promotion and development of animal production and husbandry value chain, horticulture (fruits) value chain, cashew value chain, oil palm value chain and cotton value chain will get N866.55 million, N499.74 million, N908,06 million, N732.37 million and N911.14 million respectively.
Some other projects the ministry include N6.90 billion for rural roads and water sanitation; N2.27billion for the development of National Grazing Reserves; N2 billion support for infrastructure, projects and coordination services. Others are: N2.01 billion for veterinary and pest control services, another N2.01 billion for food and strategic reserves; N1.27 billion and N.09 billion on livelihood for improvement family enterprise (life) programme and mechanization respectively.
Not done, the ministry will further spend N2.09 billion on extension services, N1.72 billion on land and climate management and N1.03 billion on Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES)-Delivery platform, roll-out and management.
In a related development, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals (OSSAP-MDGs) headed by Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire will spendN55.35 million on monitoring & evaluation of all SDGs projects and programmes in the 36 states and the FCT.
The SSAP on SDGs will further spend N150 million to supply 15 tractors for South Borno Senatorial District in Borno State, N140 million on training and empowerment of traders in Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District and N400 million to supply empowerment materials to women and youth in Ekiti state.
The sum of N8. 91 trillion was approved and signed into law President Muhammadu Buhari. Of the amount, N502.05 billion is for Statutory Transfers, N2.25 trillion for Debt Service, N4.06 trillion for recurrent (Non-Debt) Expenditure while the sum of N2.09 trillion is contribution to the development Fund for Capital Expenditure.
