The federal government has stated its determination to collaborate with farmers across the country as part of efforts to boosting foreign exchange earnings.
This will also serve to empower the private sector and youths for job placement and wealth creation.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, stated this when he visited some farms in Bayelsa state recently where he inspected an exhibition of farm produce.
In a statement Lokpobiri stressed the need to rewrite the history of the state from militancy that it is wrongly known for to being a huge revenue generating state that is blessed by God with the necessary and rich human and natural resources –available land for farming and aquaculture.
Lokpobiri encouraged the farmer who are doing very well not to be distracted but to strongly believe in this present Administration that is committed to assisting them. He said more of Government’s presence shall be visible in the form of capacity building and increased technology based farming with improved seedlings which will definitely ensure high yield and great harvest.
The Minister emphasized that Agricultural business is the best and right way to go, this is even as he encouraged youths to desist from known vices, and rather embrace farming which is the next quick alternative to oil and gas.
Lokpobiri assured also that there are plans in place to assist farmers in everywhere possible.
He said once the farmers can produce, all their excess crops will automatically have a value chain circle, where they will be bought over, because there is an already waiting market to clear them, no matter their output.
He said organizations and agencies such as National Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), Bank of Agriculture (BOA) West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) and the Federal Department of Agriculture and Agribusiness willing to assist all farmers.
In a welcome address, the Chairman of Bayelsa state chapter of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Mr. Suoyo Amaran, appreciating the minister said he believed the minister’s visit will open a new page for farmers in the state.
He however enumerated some of their constraints to include, access to funds, issue of collateral and high interest rate, availability of relevant equipment, lack of training and retraining of farmers and lack of government support.
