Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu says, his administration welcome international observers and research organization to make critical assessment of the agricultural policy of the government to enable its fully develop agriculture.
Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu forwarded this invitation while hosting experts and professionals on Agriculture from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan to a dinner at the Banquet Hall Government House, Birnin Kebbi on Sunday night.
The Governor acknowledges the commitment by the leader of the team Dr. Kenton Dashiell who said he enjoyed the meal especially the fried fish served at the dinner.
Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said the aimed of his administration was to make rice produced in Kebbi State to serve in restaurant in New York City, United States of America and Livestock reared in the state to be on the menu list in restaurant in Tokyo Japan.
The Governor expressed the delight about the success so far recorded by his administration in Agriculture reform and production which he said could not have been possible without the support of members of the State House of Assembly and other government functionaries.
Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu informed the Agricultural specialist that Kebbi State has recorded 300% increased in rice and wheat production, which has made the state the leading rice and wheat production in Nigeria.
In addition he said, the state was second to Yobe in livestock production in the country with reach potential in fisheries.
Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu expressed delight about the warned reception and humility shown to him during his visit to the headquarters of the IITA in Ibadan and requested for the establishment of IITA outlet in Kebbi State to boost the ability and capability of farmers to produce and process crops.
The Governor enumerated other crops the state has endored with which comprised of groundnuts, soya-beans, cowpeas, seasan-seeds, banana, cocoyam, yam, millet, bambora-nut, sugarcane, guinea-corn, cassava, ginger and hungry rice it “Ach-Cha”.
The team leader of experts from the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture Ibadan Dr. Kenton Dashiell told the Governor that the institute has been recognized worldwide as centre of excellence on Agricultural resources.
He addressed that, the institution celebrated fifty 50 years of establishment last July and told the Governor that the institution has entered another journey of fifty (50) years with visit to Kebbi State in view of its success in reviving agricultural production.
Dr. Kenton Dashiell explained that, the team was on a research mission to the state to learnt about Agricultural potential of the area adding that, as a specialist on soya-beans it would be opportune to examine the soya-beans production in the state which has reached commercial proportion.
Dr. Kenton Dashiell said the research visit would also be caterlist to the formulation of agricultural policies needed in the country to enhance production.
In a remark, the Ag. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Alhaji Mohammed Lawal told the visitors that Kebbi State has the fertile land for agricultural production in the wet season as well as irrigation farming, major rivers such as River Niger, River Rima Zamfara, River Ka and River Shallah have crisscross many local government areas of the state adding to its potentiality in agriculture and fishery.
Permanent Secretary said Kebbi State produced the best wheat in Nigeria which could become the best among duly needed by millers.
Also speaking the chairman of committee on Agriculture Kebbi State House of Assembly, Hon. Ahmed Bawa Kukah affirmed the commitment of the House of Assembly to give the necessary support to the Governor towards effective revival of Agriculture.
He said the members of the assembly have been satisfied about the performance and land mark achievement of Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu in agricultural revivals for food security, export and employment.
He said the members of the assembly have been satisfied about the performance and land mark achievement of Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu in agricultural revivals for food security, export and employment.
Addressing the specialist the Chairman of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Sahabi Mohammad Augie said the research would collaborate with IITA to boost rice production in the state and requested the institution to supply farmers with rice varieties toward the objectives.
On his part Chairman wheat farmers in Kebbi State, Alhaji Abdullahi Sa’idu Argungu described the visit of the IITA expert to Kebbi State as a blessing, saying that the abundant fadama land in the state has facilitated increase of wheat production by farmers.
Former KARDA Programme Manager and Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Bello expressed on other crops produce in Kebbi State including cereals, requesting the IITA to assist the state to ensure maximum yield in the production of food and cash crops.
Alhaji Abubakar Bello told the visitors Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has instilled enthusiasm in the populace and motivation which galvanized them to engage in agricultural production.
Alhaji Abubakar Bello told the visitors Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has instilled enthusiasm in the populace and motivation which galvanized them to engage in agricultural production.
Abubakar Mu’azu Dakingari
Chief Press Secretary
Chief Press Secretary
Feel Free To Comments Here...
No comments:
Post a Comment