The Director, Federal Department of Agriculture, in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Engr. Abdullahi Abubakar, has called for the speedy passage of the Agricultural Trust Fund Bill, by the National Assembly, saying there is the need to fast-track it passage to provide emergency support funding for agricultural activities in the country.
Abubakar made the call recently while briefing agriculture journalists on the achievement of his department in 2022, in Abuja.
He also said there is the need for immediate adherence and implementation of the 2003 Malabo Declaration to allocate 10% of the country’s annual budget to agriculture across the three tiers of Government so as to attain 6% annual growth in agriculture for Accelerated Agricultural Growth, Transformation and Improved Livelihood for Nigerians.
Adding that it is important that there should be continuous promotion and support for the National Agricultural Data Management and Information System (NADMIS) to properly shape the direction of policies, strategies, programmes and projects.
Speaking he said: ”Need to fast-track processes for the take-off of the Green Imperative Project. There is also the need to approve the implementation of the Tractorization programme of the Ministry under PPP arrangement.
“Develop a robust seed system to ensure stable and sustainable supply of improved seeds/seedlings by strengthening and intensifying support to Research and Development and intensify knowledge/technological transfer and strengthen extension services through trainings, workshops, stakeholders’ meeting, on-farm demonstration etc. and continuous promotion of private sector participation and partnership.”
He further explained that there is the need for the government to establish cottage industries (processing mills) for various crops across the country for value addition. Supporting food and nutrition programmes to enhance the quality and safety of food production consumption from crop value chains through proper standardization, certification and quality control/ assurance.
