Farmers task El-Rufa’i on implementation of 2017 budget

Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai

The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), on Thursday, said the 2017 budget announced by the Kaduna State Government would stimulate agriculture.

Alhaji Nuhu Aminu, state Chairman of AFAN, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that the N4.5 billion allocated to agriculture if properly utilised would make a huge impact on the sector.

The AFAN chairman, however, appealed to the government to collaborate with commercial banks for additional funding through soft loans to farmers.

He advised that mass recruitment of extension service workers be done, to promote new farming methods among farmers for enhance production.

Mrs. Jummai Victor, state Chairman of Rice Farmers Association (RIFAN), said the government should provide additional storage facilities and processing plants for rice farmers.

Victor said that the budget should be targeted at providing vital infrastructure and encouraging modern farming system for all year round production.

NAN reports that available statistics indicate that over 550,000 farming families engange in small-scale agricultural production in the state.

Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai, who presented the budget on Wednesday, said agriculture accounts for 36 percent of the state’s GDP.

The governor said the budget would focus on the expansion of post-harvest price support for farmers and the Anchor Borrowers Programme which targets six crops the state has the comparative advantage.

According to him, agriculture is a major source of raw materials for industries and has the potential of boosting the industrial sector.

“Cash and food crops produced in the state include yam, cotton, groundnut, tobacco, soybeans,maize, beans, guinea corn, millet, ginger, rice and cassava.

“Livestock reared include poultry, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. Small-scale farmers dominate agricultural production in the State.“

El-Rufa’i added that the state expects an additional infusion of N800 billion in private investments within the next five years, with a large chunk going to agriculture.

“Already, the state has benefitted from investments such as the $150 million Poultry/Hatchery/Feedmill, the biggest in sub-Saharan Africa started by Olam group.

“There is also $10 million Tomato Farming and Processing investment by the Dangote Group.

“This is in addition to the $120 million Potato Farming and Processing investment by Vicampro, and other multi-billion investments at various stages of negotiations,” he said.