Jonathan Approves N26bn For 2015 Dry Season Farming

President Goodluck
Jonathan has approved the release of N26 billion for 2015 dry season farming programme geared towards efforts to produce more food for the nation.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy which was solely dependent on oil resources has recently refocused on agriculture as a lifeline for the country.
“As crude oil prices decline we must create new wealth from the richness of our soils, the vastness of our rivers and the abundance of our cheap labour.
“We will produce more and we will industrialise the agricultural sector” the president said while speaking at an Agric Festival in Abuja last Friday.
Announcing the injection of funds for the 2015 dry season the president declared that all those owing the country on rice import duties must pay up.
He said Nigeria will not be held hostage by rice importers emphasising that there will be no sacred cows in government efforts to achieve its vision of self sufficiency in rice production for the country.
The president said the approval was to appreciate the contribution of rural farmers to massive food production in the country and to encourage the farmers to crop thrice a year to boost food production and eliminate hunger and poverty.
It would be called that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Dr Akinwunmi Adesina had in Lagos said the sum of N36.56 billion was owed the Federal Government by foreign and local importers who wish to run their own rice policy.
The Agriculture Festival which held at the Eagle Square, Abuja, tagged “Agric Fest” was organised by FMARD in collaboration with farmers and agribusiness operators across the country.
The president further noted that rice farmers across the country now have a new lease of life, owing to the transformation taking place in the sector.
He added that over six million rice farmers have received improved rice seeds varieties, boosting domestic rice production by an additional seven million tones.
According to the president, the number of integrated rice mills had expanded from one at the beginning of this administration to 24 today.
Jonathan revealed that the rice revolution was taking place across the country from Kebbi, Kano Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Banchi, Gombe, Niger, Kogi, Ogun, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Rivers, Anambra, Delta, Edo and Bayelsa States.