Delta, Bank Partner To Boost Agric

The
Bank of Agriculture and the Delta State Government have sealed a deal to boost
agricultural produce, enhance the state economy and create employment
opportunities.

The
Managing Director, Bank of Agriculture, Dr. Mohammed Santuraki, gave the hint
on Wednesday in Asaba after a meeting with Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Santuraki
said that the partnership was necessary to improve food security in the
country.

“Governor
Uduaghan’s vision of Delta beyond oil is a very positive development because
oil will not last forever,” Santuraki said.

According
to him, Uduaghan’s commitment to empower the people through agriculture
deserves commendation, adding that the bank had rolled out programmes to team
up with the state government in the agricultural sector.

Santuraki
said the bank would partner with the state government in the areas of cassava
production, stressing that the state was one of the largest producers of the
commodity in the country.

He
said that the bank was encouraged by the Federal Government’s commitment to
include cassava as one of the substitutes for wheat due to the huge amount
being spent on the importation of wheat.

Santuraki
also apart from cassava cultivation, the bank would encourage farmers,
including women and cooperative societies, to engage in the entire production
chain from farming to processing and storage, adding, “We want to finance the
whole value chain.”

The
Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Misan Ukubeyinje, observed that the bank’s
partnership with the state government would assist farmers.

He
said, “We will take necessary steps to ensure that the partnership works.

“We
are collaborating in terms of capacity building, and you know the bank has also
been dealing with farmers in terms of funding.”