The Federal Ministry of Agriculture today launched the Growth Enhancement Support Programme Scheme designed by the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to enhance agricultural development in the country.
Launching the programme in Damagum, headquarters of Fune Local Government in the state, Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Bukar Tijjani said the scheme is aimed at achieving food security, youth and women empowerment, increase income for farmers as well as curtailing the activities of middlemen in the sales and distribution of fertilizer and seedlings in the country.
The minister who commended the agricultural policies of the state aimed at complementing the efforts of the federal government, said the federal and state under the current scheme will equally share fifty per cent while the farmer will pay the remaining fifty per cent of the cost of the fertilizer.
He cautioned them against allowing middlemen to go between them and the government in the current scheme.
The minister also warned them against consumption of the improved seedlings which will be distributed to them free of charge as part of the current policy aimed at cultivating improved variety crops across the country.
The state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, represented by the state commissioner of Agriculture Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana commended the presidential initiative that will address most problems of the agricultural sector in the country.
He said the strategies will greatly enhance socio-economic activities thereby reducing poverty among the greater percentage of Nigerians who are predominantly farmers.
The current scheme he stressed will further create more jobs, foreign exchange as well as reduce over dependence on oil.
Chairman of Fune local government area, Alhaji Maina Digma Gana thanked the state and the federal government for choosing his local logovernment for the launch of the scheme in Yobe state.
He solicits for early fertilizer sales, training of staff with the modern agricultural implements as well as provision of improved seedlings in good time among others.
