Nigerian Government
To Invest N1 trillion In Agriculture
As
part of efforts to prosecute the agricultural component of the
seven-point agenda of the President Umaru Yar'Adua
Administration, the Nigerian Government is set to invest about
N1 trillion in agriculture.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Water Resources, Mr.
Ademola Seriki who disclosed this said a substantial part of the
proposed fund.
According to him, the money will be made available to farmers
across the country through their cooperative societies and
unions to aid their productivity while some will be deployed to
assist the private sector stakeholders.
While delivering a keynote address to open the Fourth National
Cocoa Day celebration hosted by the Ondo State government in
Akure,South western Nigeria, the minister said government was
aware of the potentials of the country's agricultural sector to
increase the indices of national economy.
Addressing an audience made up of representatives of all the 14
cocoa-producing states, including the deputy governors of Abia,
Edo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti as well as other stakeholders in the
country's cocoa sector, Seriki said the concerted efforts of the
government would now be focused on the growth agriculture.
He also disclosed that the expected growth in the sector would
be achieved through partnership with the private sector in order
to achieve maximum results and sustain the process of
development.
The minister said: "it is obvious that agriculture is a major
component of the seven-point agenda. Therefore, the promotion of
the cocoa economy constitutes a major thrust in this
administration's programmes, as it is a veritable source of
wealth creation.”
“New Beginning”
Describing the proposed N1 trillion injection into agriculture
as unprecedented in the sector, the minister said: "I am glad to
inform you that for the first time in the history of this
country, government is prepared to invest close to N1 trillion
in the agricultural sector|”.
The minister, however, expressed concerns over the high presence
of chemical residue in Nigerian cocoa beans and disclosed that
his ministry had set up a committee to look into the issue and
proffer ways of solving the problem.
According to him, "the issue has become critical because more
than 70 per cent of the nation's cocoa is exported as beans to
consumers in Europe and America. Consumers have now become more
conscious of what they eat and how it is produced than ever
before. Therefore, new lower limits of pesticides residues have
been set for cocoa imports into their countries."
The minister also disclosed that the committee, which was given
appropriate terms of reference to consider all aspects of the
agrochemical industry and cocoa quality and make recommendations
to prevent Nigerian cocoa from being rejected, had submitted its
reports and the position of government on it would be made known
soon.
Stressing that government would do everything possible to inject
new life into the country's cocoa business by attracting premium
price for the commodity, Seriki said: "Our cocoa farmers and
indeed all farmers must be exposed to the best agricultural
practices for sustainable agriculture that is
environment-friendly and socially responsible” .
In his speech, Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Agagu, disclosed
that cocoa production capacity of the state had increased from
45,095 metric tonnes in 1999 to 62,043 metric tonnes in 2006,
making the state the largest producer of the produce.
The governor also said that various efforts ranging from
provision of seedlings to chemical inputs and soft loans to
farmers were being put in place by the government to increase
production.
With the theme, "Cocoa for health and wealth," this year Cocoa
Day celebration is to draw attention to the health benefits of
cocoa products and its poverty-reduction capacity among local
farmers.
NP/MICHAEL
