FG Seeks Legal Backing For GES Scheme

The Legal Consultant to
the Federal Ministry of Agriculture  and Rural Development (FMARD), Prof  Yemi Akinseye-George, said that the federal government has proposed a bill for an act to support the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme.
Akinseye-George who disclosed this during a meeting of stakeholders at the weekend  in Abuja said the  more was to ensure sustainable farm input distribution to farmer in the country.
According to him, when passed into law it would also promote participation of the private sector even as he said the meeting also sought to promote collaboration among the three tiers of government.
“More so, if will create a frame work for attracting and sustaining  greater private sector participation in the provision of GES to agriculture in the country,” he said.
The legal consultant further explained  that  the statistics  that  were  presented at the meeting indicated that no administration has recorded that kind of progress and success since independence.
He said so far, over 15 million farmers were already registered under the scheme with a verifiable  data base.
While explaining the demand by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesiua, for a legal framework to back the scheme, Akinseye-George said it was intended to put in place the rule of law in the  administration, governance and implementation of the GES scheme in the country.
Highlights of the bill, he noted, included the establishment of coordinating mechanisms, gurantee of funding and greater private sector involvement, amongst others.
Meanwhile, some countries have indicated interest to understudy the country’s pattern due to the success recorded.
According to the Director  of Farm Input Support Services  in the Ministry, Oshoi Akinbola, the countries include Uganda, Kenya Malawi, Senegal, India and Brazil.
Akinbola further restated the federal government’s commitment to registering 20 million farmers in the scheme even as he said 14.5 million farmers have been captured and registered since the scheme came  on board two years ago.

Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture, Rivers State, Hon. Emmanuel Chindah (3rd right) inspecting food stock during 2014 World Food Day celebration at Isaac Boro Parck, Port Harcourt recently. Photo: Prince Obinna Dele