Seeds
By Aminu Ahmed Garko
Minna, April 11, 2018 (NAN) Niger state government has called for proper sensitisation on new variety of seeds to farmers to ensure massive production of food and cash crops in the state.
Alhaji Ahmed Kestso, the acting governor of the state made the call on Wednesday at the 1st Improved Seeds and Agro -Equipment Expo taking place in Minna.
He said that proper sensitisation would enable farmers embrace the new seeds thereby ensuring massive production of such crops.
“The state government is committed to providing the necessary support to farmers to excel.
“Already arrangement has been concluded by the state government to introduce tractors hire scheme to boost mechanized farming and food production.
“The state government will also provide modern farming implements at subsidized rates to farmers.
” We will ensure the provision of farming implements at subsidized rates to encourage farmers to produce assorted food crops, ‘’ he said.
Mr Gerald Umeze, Representing the Country Harvest-Plus, said that all hands are on deck to strengthen the adoption of biofort crops and enterprises proven to have enormous potentials for income generation and job creation.
” We are putting in place platforms to ensure sustained availability, accessibility and affordability of high quality biofortified seeds for our farmers to plant.
” We brought the agro dealers here to ensure effective and sustainable linkages to these seeds and inputs.
”Niger state ranks among the top three maize producers in Nigeria but farmers are unable to source for good quality seeds,” he said. (NAN)
AAG/OIF/MTM
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Tukur Muntari.