As FG engages 15 thousand youth in Bauchi as extension agents.
Gov. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi on Friday said his administration has provided 10,000 hectares of land for rice production in the state.
A statement by Mukhtar Gidado, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor said Gov. Bala made the announcement when the Minister of State for Agriculture and other principal officers of the Ministry paid him an advocacy visit at the Council Chamber, Government House, Bauchi.
“Governor Bala Mohammed said the allocation of the hectares of land is for integrated farming activities in rice and other products in order to ensure food security.
“He said his administration has already developed a robust agricultural policy which is expected to address the challenges facing the sector by advancing the capacity of farmers and improving the state’s economy,” Gidado said.
He said that the Governor who noted the role of the agricultural sector in the nation’s economy, assured that his administration strengthen its relationship with the Ministry to access more agricultural interventions.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Bauchi state, I welcome you to Bauchi state and we commend the Honorable Minister for starting his tour with Bauchi. You have our support because we are fully satisfied with what you are doing in the sector that you are assigned, Bala was quoted as saying.
The governor also applauded the Minister State for Agriculture for his contributions towards the advancement of agricultural sector in the country and appreciated him for bringing relief materials to farmers in the state.
He further acknowledged the foresight of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in developing the nation’s economy through agriculture.
The Governor reaffirmed the determination of the state government in working with critical stakeholders so as to leverage on accessing projects beneficial to the citizens of the state.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Alhaji Mustapha Shehuri, told the Governor that over 15,000 youths have been engaged in Bauchi state to serve as village extension agents workers for the development of agriculture.
Shehuri said in FG in partnership with the state governments, would employ one million youth to serve as village extension agents across the country.
He said the federal government has provided a number of support to farmers and would continue to give them adequate support in areas of extension services, good quality seeds, fertilizers, agro chemicals and other necessary inputs to boost production.
According to the Minister, FG remain committed to support the state government in rice production and to continue working with stakeholders to achieve the desired objectives of diversifying the economy and modernizing the agricultural sector.
The Minister explained that during COVID-19 pandemic in particular, farmers across the country recieved massive support from the federal government in terms of funding and small scale equipments in all the states.
“Your Excellency, our Ministry is promoting agricultural activities and integrate rural development to transform the country’s economy in line with the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Integrated rural development is an important core mandate of the Ministry and Nigerians are witnessing a massive rural infrastructure under Buhari administration,” Shehuri said.
