The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has said that92 per cent of the more than 11million registered farmers have access to improved seeds and fertiliser.
Adesina made this known in Abuja at the ongoing four-day Public Affairs Forum with the theme “The Jonathan Administration: Four Impactful Years.’’
He said “the Jonathan-led administration was able to end 40 years of corruption in fertiliser distribution in 90 days.
“This was made possible through the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme of the Federal Government that created an enabling environment for the private sector to drive the agricultural sector.
“Today, we have about 11million registered farmers across the country and 92 per cent of them have access to subsidised fertilisers and seeds.’’
Adesina said before the Jonathan-led administration, there were only five seed companies in the country, but now increased to 84 seed companies.
The minister said the growth had increased availability of improved seeds to farmers from 5, 000 tonnes to 171,000 tonnes.
He said the Federal Government’s efforts in transforming the fertiliser sub-sector had attracted five billion dollars of private investment to the sub-sector.
He added that Olam Rice had invested 125 million dollars in rice production and processing in the country, while Dominion Rice and Dangote Rice invested 40 million dollars and 1billion dollars respectively in rice production and processing.
Adesina said the Federal Government had inaugurated Agricultural Equipment Hiring Centres to enable farmers to have access to heavy farm machines at subsidised rates through GES scheme.
According to him, 1,200 centres will be established across the country before the end of the year.
He noted that there would be a total of 600,000 tractors, 15,000 power tillers among many other heavy farm machines, stressing that “government wants hoes and cutlasses kept in the museum.’’
The minister urged farmers across the country to support President Goodluck Jonathan “so as to benefit more from his good intentions for farmers.’’
Earlier, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Public Affairs, Mr Doyin Okupe, said the Forum was to enlighten the public on the achievements of the Jonathan-led administration.
He explained that the Forum was necessary “as there are false stories by a section of Nigerians on progress made by this administration.’’
Okupa said 48.5 per cent of the national budget went to states and local governments, while the other 48.5 was left with the Federal Government.
He added that with the funds, the Federal Government took care of the military and foreign affairs and was still involved in other sectors like primary and secondary education.
The special adviser urged Nigerians not to focus attention on the Federal Government alone, but also hold states and local governments accountable for the funds they received.

Cartons of poultry products seized by Nigeria Customs Service at Seme Command , recently.