Ministry seeks support for Ekiti cashew, cassava production

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has expressed readiness to help boost agricultural activities in Ekiti state through the re-launch of the cocoa, cashew and cassava projects.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, gave the assurance during a courtesy call on him by the Governor-elect of Ekiti State Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
Ogbeh noted that it was lamentable that Nigeria which used to be the seventh largest exporter of cocoa has today regressed, a development he described as unacceptable.
He said although Nigeria has improved in the production of cassava but there is much to do to add value so as to enhance foreign exchange earnings from cassava.
Ogbeh further expressed hope that interest rates on agriculture can still be reduced to 5 per cent from the 9 per cent approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria, saying in other climes like Mauritius, interest rate is pegged at 3 per cent to encourage growth of the agricultural sector.
Dr.
Fayemi lamented the regression in the achievements that Ekiti State had made in the sector in the last four years and expressed hope that with his coming on board as the new governor of Ekiti State come 16 October, 2018 concerted efforts will be made to revive the sector.
He decried the lack of continuity of many agricultural projects by Governor Fayose which he established and consequently called on the Minister to assist Ekiti State to revamp the sector.

FG to partner Bangladesh on agrotech
The federal government has expressed willingness to partner with the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in areas of acquisition of technology and improved varieties of seeds.
This, according to Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, will further boost the progress the country has made in food production especially on improved varieties of rice seeds known to be resistant to weather conditions like water logging or flooding.
Lokpobiri, who stated this when the High Commissioner for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Md.
Shameem Ahsan paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja added that Nigeria lost billions of dollars as a result of crops destroyed by flooding.
According to him, “with this new varieties of seeds, a quantum of rice yield will be recorded not only in Nigeria but in the whole West Africa sub-region.” The Minister noted that Bangladesh which got independence in 1971 worked silently to achieve self-sufficiency in food production, while Nigeria continually relied heavily on rice importation to the tune of 6m/day.
Lokpobiri, however reiterated the commitment of this present government is to achieve self-sufficiency in food production and food security by the year 2020.
He assured the High Commissioner that Nigeria is favorably disposed to an improved bilateral relation and hoped on signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Nigeria to tap from Bangladesh expertise in the areas of agricultural, technology and research.
Shameen Ahsan while praising Nigeria’s leadership role in the whole of Africa, noted that Nigeria has a huge market and untapped potentials which Bangladesh is willing to help improve through partnership of the two countries.
Bangladesh, according to him is a role model in the areas of women empowerment, disaster management and poverty alleviation which Nigeria can emulate.
The High Commissioner later presented a book on the founder of Bangladesh titled ‘Sheik Mujibur Rahman: The Unfinished Memoire’ to the Minister of State.
Bangladesh is acknowledged as the second largest producer of garments, Ceramic works and world leading producer of environmentally friendly jute bags.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh High Commissioner has announced the readiness of Bangladesh to participate in the 2018 Agric.
Tech Nigeria which will hold in November 2018 as an opportunity for the country to showcase its silent achievements in agriculture.

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