Bauchi state governor, Bala Mohammed has launched policy document to boost Agriculture in the state.
He launched it at an occasion held at Bauchi State Agricultural Development Program (BSADP) where said the policy document covers key areas such as irrigation development, quality inputs supply, crop pest and disease control, commodity livestock and fisheries development among others.
He disclosed that the policy is designed to fix 10 high potential value chain by addressing major constraints and challenges bedeviling the entire agricultural sector.
He explained that the policy was initiated to ensure the attainment of food security and nutrition by increasing the production of agricultural materials, modernization of agriculture production, processing, storage and distribution.
Governor Bala Mohammed maintained that, considering the state’s conducive climate, suitable land and available human resources, an enabling environment to attract more private sector investment and participation is required, there is need for a well articulated agricultural policy to be formulated and implemented.
He disclosed that the state has 4.2m hectares of cultivable land, regretting that only 40 percent of the land is currently being utilized.
The Governor pledged to use the selected value-chains in order to achieve food security and overcome nutrition challenges through the promotion and production of food crops according to zones’ comparative advantages and utilization of crops with high nutrient contents.
He said to build the capacity of youths on ICT in agriculture and use of modern farming techniques and implements, the state government would establish innovation and incubation centers.
Governor Bala Mohammed therefore solicited the support of value chain stakeholders for the successful implementation of the agricultural policy and ensure performance effectiveness of the agricultural sector in the state.
