NAN-AE-11
Commendation
By Temitope Salami
Sagamu (Ogun), Feb. 14, 2017 (NAN) Mr Oduwole Fateru, the Director of Agriculture, Sagamu Local Government Council in Ogun, on Tuesday commended the state government for its commitment to agricultural production.
He made the commendation while speaking with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sagamu.
Fateru praised the government for its efforts to resuscitate farm settlements, procure tractors and provide improved seedlings to farmers, saying this would boost agricultural production in the state.
He also said that the state’s participation in the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP), which was initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria, was another feat recorded by Gov. Ibikunle Amosun’s administration.
He noted that the programme was conceptualised to improve agricultural production and reduce unemployment.
Fateru, however, urged the beneficiaries of ABP to ensure the survival of the scheme by paying back their loans regularly.
He also advised the beneficiaries to take due advantage of the programme to set up veritable income streams, rather than using the credit facilities to establish non-profitable ventures.
The director called on farmers to begin the process of crop cultivation in earnest by preparing lands for farming activities.
“This is the crop planting season for farmers of food crops such as cassava, yam, maize, legumes and fruits, among others, which are seasonal; unlike cash crops which are not time-bound.
“Poultry farmers too ought to have started breeding broilers so as to meet up with the high demands during Easter and Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, which are just a few months away.
“Successful agriculture business is labour-intensive and time-bound; to make profits, a farmer must be consistent, enterprising and diligent in his operations,” he said.
Fateru urged the youth to key into the vision of the Amosun-administration by engaging in agriculture to further boost the nation’ food security.
He pledged the continuous support of the local government council towards the actualisation of the various policies and programmes of the state government for the benefit of the people. (NAN)
TDS/MOL/OOK
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi and Dayo Komolafe