NAN-AE-13
Farming
By Joy Odigie
Benin, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Edo chapter, said it had taken delivery of farm machinery worth N14 million from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to boost farming in the state.
The chairman of AFAN in Edo, Chief Emmanuel Odigie disclosed this in an interview with the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Tuesday.
Odigie said that the farm equipment which included two tractors, harrower, planter and harvester were donated two weeks ago.
He said that the use of the equipment would promote large scale farming and make farming attractive to youths in the state.
‘’I want to commend NDDC for this kind gesture because before now, farmers find it difficult to access tractors in the state.
‘’We have introduced cluster farming; where 10 or more farmers can come together to carryout farming operations in one location.
‘’So, the use of the tractors will go a long way in terms of farm clearing, harrowing and planting.
‘’It will also motivate youths to go into farming and make subsistence farmers to embrace commercial farming,” he said.
He urged farmers in the state to take advantage of the tractors’ services that would be hired out to farmers.
‘’The tractors will be hired out to farmers on the basis of ‘first come first serve.’
‘’The farmers will be charged a token to cover the operational and maintenance cost,’’ he said. (NAN)
OOJ/KOO/AFA
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Felix Ajide
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