Governor of Kano state, Dr.Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has stated that control of migratory pests that attack and destroy cereals, particularly rice, millet and wheat is meant to prevent loss of the crops.
He said the measure is in line with the federal and state government policy of agricultural transformation aimed at boosting production for food security and economic stability.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, made the statement Monday, while flagging-off the national rans-boundary aerial pest control exercise held at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
“Control of Quelea birds results in an increase in yield of many crops per hectare and quantity of various agricultural produce we export as well as ensuring safer and higher productivity,” says Ganduje.
While appreciating the effort of the federal government for conducting aerial operations against the migratory birds in 8 local governments of the state, namely: Bagwai, Bebeji,Bunkure,Garun Mallam,Kura, Makoda, Rano and Warawa in recent years. The governor advised the Federal Ministry Of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide nets to the farmers, destroy roosting sites and ensure use of resistant varieties of the affected crops.
In his remarks, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, stated that the 2020 dry season control of migratory pests is commencing in 12 frontline states due to the threat the cereal production is facing over the years.
“Due to the destructive effects of these pests, especially on cereal crops, the federal government through the Federal Ministry Of Agriculture and Rural Development has been inundated with requests by state governments to carry out speedy targeted aerial and ground control operation against the pests in order to salvage the expected rice bumper harvest,” Nanono said.
He stated that the President Buhari administration has initiated many interventions in the agriculture sector, especially in the current COVID-19 pandemic that is ravaging the world with the aim of mitigating the impact of the dreaded disease, ceate gainful employment and ensure socio-economic development.
“The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has so far registered over 5 million farmers in the country out of which over 500,000 are from Kano. The data gathered would help in proper documentation and ensure smooth running of agricultural activities,” the minister emphasised.
