‘Most African countries neglect cotton production’

Baba Berthe is the President, African Cotton Association (ACA), as well as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Malian Company for the Development of Textiles. In this interview, he speaks about the difficulties of cotton production in Africa and the preparations of ACA to host its annual conference in Nigeria next year. Excerpts:

Baba Berthe

There are challenges with the economy and neglect of agriculture for other resources. So how is cotton contributing to the development of African countries?

I was born in Mali where cotton is contributing to a large extent to the economy. When I went to Kenya last year to chair the ACA congress, I and my team travelled by the economy class. We noticed that many of those who bought our cotton came with private jets. It showed that we have something very important economically that we don’t exploit or know its importance. We produce cotton for others who benefit more. Cotton is a very important commodity but African countries have not mastered the price. We don’t know its value.

So the relegation of cotton production in many African countries is much.

Yes, it is. However, in Mali and Burkina Faso, cotton is the main cash crop. They produce and earn foreign exchange. After the governments of these countries remove their profit, the balance is shared among the farmers. Gold is also mined in Mali and sold, but the money is not distributed to the miners but is used in some other ways. 

So cotton is the commodity that can be used in the fight against poverty. Also, in the 2016/2017 harvesting session, cotton production earned $330m for Malian farmers. But the amount is even little because there was value addition in the process. Besides, shirts that are produced with cotton are very expensive, and so many other things. We sell one kilogramme of cotton at $1.7cents but those who buy it, process it and resell to us at $25 to $30 depending on the value-addition. So when a shirt is made of cotton, it could be sold at $100. The difference is much. 

This goes to show that cotton represents a high-level commodity which can greatly improve the economy of many African countries. The power of cotton to a country’s economy cannot be over-emphasised and that is why we are urging the Nigerian government to resuscitate the cotton industry so that other countries can follow her example.

What is African Cotton Association’s mission to Nigeria?

Since the organisation was established, congress is being held and rotated yearly from one country to another. The March 2015 edition was held in Chad, the 2016 edition in Kenya and at that conference, Nigeria was chosen for the 2018 edition to hold in March. As such, it is important that before the event, the African Cotton Association should visit the next host country and meet with critical stakeholders on how to go about organising the event. We are here to discuss with the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN), stakeholders and the government on how to start preparations for the conference.

What is the anticipated number of people the sector would employ if fully developed?

The number will be difficult to evaluate, but we have to note that one company can employ hundreds of people in different capacities and sections of the production chain. And don’t forget, we have direct and indirect employments that can be derived. To show how cotton is very important is by looking at the oil extracted from it. In Mali, for instance, there are 80 cotton oil-producing mills with about 2.5 million litres combined capacity production. Each also has about 500 workers. The multiplier effect is huge.

What is ACA doing to boost technical expertise on production as most farmers still use manual means?

ACA is a very organised association. We do not have funds for companies or member countries for technological development. However, we have seed cotton production, classification, transportation, trading and ginning commissions where experts teach countries on these specialties. Recently, we organised a workshop in Garoua, Cameroon, on some technical issues that will lead to the promotion of cotton production: these are some of the things we do. In Mali and Burkina Faso, many cotton farmers are mechanised but more needs to be done.

With this scenario, how do you see cotton farming and production in the next few years?

The concern of ACA is to provide a link with governments of African countries. Every year we hold a meeting in one country or another. The 16th meeting will be in Nigeria in March next year. We are in Nigeria to prepare grounds for the meeting. We met with ECOWAS and they assured us that they are working on a regional strategy for the promotion of cotton from now to 2025. This is in collaboration with the African Development Bank (ADB) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. We also met with the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) but could not meet with state governments, as we would have wished. 

So, it is a strategy to meet high level organisations as a way forward. It is expected that after meeting with ECOWAS’ Department of Agriculture, they will make a report to the president of the commission who will in turn forward it to all member heads of state. By that, we are pushing our strategy.

Credit: Daily Trust

Osun commences all-year-round farming through Solar-powered irrigation

As part of efforts to diversify her economy through agriculture and turn the state to the food basket of the West, the Osun State Government has embarked on all-year-round farming through massive irrigation system.

The initiative is aimed at fulfilling one of the six-point integral action plan of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration which is to banish hunger through massive agricultural production.

The farms with 40 acres of land capacity each across 24 Local Governments of the state are being cultivated to encourage the agriculture revolution agenda of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola led administration in the state.

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola

The new farming system, an initiative of the volunteers of the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), was said to have encompassed solar-powered irrigation to encourage all round farming across the seasons.

While inspecting one of the 40 acres of the already cultivated farm land at Ilesa, during the first harvest of the hybrid cucumber cultivated by the OYES cadets, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola said the decision was to make the state to be self-sustaining and self-sufficient in food production and as well make Osun the food basket of Western Nigeria.

He said the initiative was aimed at fighting the scourge of irregular farming by encouraging modern agriculture practices through irrigation system.

According to Go‎vernor Aregbesola, agriculture is where the future lies, thus it is high time for all to engage in massive agriculture production as panacea to hunger.

Governor Aregbesola who expressed delight over the seriousness being put in place by the OYES cadets said the state has turned a new leaf in agriculture practices.

He added, “I am very impressed with this high level of seriousness being put in place by our OYES volunteers. It shows that our state is not only committed to infrastructure, but also human development.

“With this giant stride in agriculture, it is not a doubt that Osun can boast of all round cultivation of major commodities like sweet potatoes, cucumbers, and exotic vegetables.

“As we have this farm in Ilesa, we also have similar ones in 24 Local governments across the state. This is aimed at fulfilling our commitment at banishing hunger, poverty and unemployment, as the scheme wouldn’t only encourage irrigation farming system but also build confidence in the youths towards agriculture.

“As we all know, food and shelter are too essential for the survival of humanity and no serious government will trivialize the need to encourage agriculture, particularly at a time when the value of crude oil is progressively sliding into zero.

“It has been brought into public knowledge that in the next 20 years, it will be practically impossible to import food, not because there won’t be money to do so, but there won’t be food to import.

“So, to prevent this unforeseen circumstantial uncertainty, then it is time to go into massive food production capable of making us self-sufficient and as well encouraging surplus for export.

“We must do whatever we can to sustain ourselves in food production because a time is coming when a nation like Nigeria will be left with no other option than agriculture.

“Our major economic product, crude oil, will soon become unpopular as it is evident that in the next 25 years, there will no longer be a serious automobile company that will be producing petroleum-powered vehicles.

“The major buyers of Nigeria’s crude oil have declared that by 2030, petroleum-powered automobiles will no longer be produced and what this implies is that, petroleum will become an ordinary commodity, and not a money making commodity as we have it now.

“If this is the case, then we must all go back to farm and see the need to feed ourselves as a nation and produce agriculture produce in surplus for export”, Aregbesola stressed.

While lauding the commitment of the OYES cadets at complementing his administration’s efforts to ‎revamp agriculture, Governor Aregbesola said it is time for the youths to demonstrate the passion for farming, instead of chasing non-existent white collar jobs.

Earlier in his remarks, the OYES Commandante, Colonel Eni’Ibukun Oyewole‎ (rtd), commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for being aggressive at revamping the agriculture sector in the state.

Oyewole said the state government of Osun under Aregbesola’s watch ‎has democratized governance as evident in the success recorded through the series of his life-changing schemes, in which OYES is pivotal.

OYES Commandante ‎said the idea to develop capacity for all year-round farming practice through irrigation system was to meet up with the state’s policy at taking agriculture to enviable height.

He said the initiative will not only aid the mass production of indigenous crops but also attract youths into farming, saying “agriculture remains the panacea to dwindling crude oil revenue and economic recession”.

“We have every reason to thank Governor Aregbesola for taking our youths off the streets for better productivity. It is on record today that Osun is the role model in youth empowerment and social protection programmes among others.

“On youth empowerment alone, the state has engaged over 40,000 unemployed youths into different social services, and today, majority of them are in different organizations as Managers, Managing Directors, Chief Executive Officers, as so on.

“This is a glad thing to know because the current administration in the state has painstakingly and productively harnessed the youths potentials for greater development.

“Today, Osun is one of the states with the lowest index of unemployed youth, and as a matter of fact, this is a result of thousands of youths being engaged by the state in various public services.

“It is obvious that Governor Aregbesola has done excellently well by touching the lives of youths positively in the state and Nigeria at large through his youth-oriented programmes that had been replicated by the Federal Government and other nations of the world.

“To us, OYES is a life-changing scheme. Most of the government’s strategic policies have in one way or the other been brought into action through the efforts of the volunteers.

“And as for this new farming technique, thousands of the OYES cadets who are interested in farming are the brain behind it. They have contributed immensely to ensure that farming is revamped.

“The aim of this initiative is to ensure that Osun is free from hunger. We want to turn this state to a central point and hub of agricultural produce in the West.

“The idea of all year round cultivation will therefore go a long way at helping the state to meet the desires of farmers as our farm will be powered by solar energy to enhance irrigation system”, he added.

In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Empowerment and Youth Engagement, Mrs Folake Adegboyega, Chairman OYES Management Committee, Barrister Femi Faturoti and the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Oyedele Durodoluwa, commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for taking the lead among his peers in agriculture sector.

Source: Nigeria Today

Southern monarchs to Sultan: Nigerians want full restructuring, opposing it unfair

Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III

OLUFEMI ATOYEBI, FEMI MAKINDE, KAMARUDEEN OGUNDELE, SIMON UTEBOR, ETIM EKPIMAH, PETER DADA, CHIDIEBUBE OKEOMA, and GIBSON ACHONU

First-class traditional rulers across the southern parts of Nigeria have denounced the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar’s stance on restructuring, noting that it is unfair for a monarch of his stature to speak against the wish of the people.

Some of the monarchs told SUNDAY PUNCH that the position of the Sultan was born out of the interests of the North.

Last Monday, Abubakar had called on Nigerians to focus on the devolution of the economy, rather than the restructuring of Nigeria, while speaking at the Niger State Investment Submit in Minna.

“Rather than the clamour for restructuring of the country, the Federal Government should be called upon to release dams across the country to state governments for massive participation of Nigerians in all-year farming seasons.

“We have the ability and technical knowledge to feed the continent with what we can produce, with the required political commitment, through the provision of modern farming implements for our teeming farmers,” he had said.

Rather than economic restructuring, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, stated that it was mind-boggling that the Sultan was not in tune with the masses.

“If the people of Nigeria want the country to be restructured, as traditional leaders, we are not in a position to oppose it. We are closer to the people, so we must lead by example. It is important to find a way of addressing the yearning of our people.

“Without the people, there cannot be a leader. We can see clearly what is wrong with the present system. The people and all the major political parties are calling for restructuring. We should allow people to develop at their own pace. It is the only way out of a potential crisis. That is how we can address all the agitations across the country. We support the restructuring of the nation,” the monarch, who spoke through his Director, Media and Public Affairs, Adeola Oloko, said.

Another first-class traditional ruler from Eket, Akwa Ibom State, Obong Etim Abia, noted that reforming the country’s economic policies to make it more buoyant was not the focus of the call for restructuring.

“I think the general opinion is that, as Nigerians, we all need to come together, sit down and discuss how we want this country to be governed. This is the only country in the world that people have to go to the centre and share money. Things cannot continue like that — that is why some people insist on resource control.

“To say the country should not be restructured and that we should leave it to what the military decided to make it — with the military all from one side of the country — is unfair and unrealistic. We must agree on resource control in which every state will control its own resources and give a percentage, even if it is 50 per cent, to the centre,” Abia said.

Also weighing in on the matter, the paramount ruler of Aburemi Kingdom, Ogbia, Bayelsa State, King Collins Daniel, told SUNDAY PUNCH that he disagreed with the Sultan, arguing that only restructuring would address the perennial problems of the country.

Daniel, a first-class monarch, said he did not buy into the idea of building dams across the country as the solution to the restructuring Nigerians were calling for.

“The man (Sultan) who is talking about building dams across the nation is talking in respect of the Sahel region. You know this country is divided into different geographical regions. You have the savannah; you have the Sahel, the forest and the swamps. You will find out that most of the Niger Delta states are in the swamps, lowlands; the South-East and the South-West are in the forest region. The Middle Belt is in the savannah and the North-East and the North-West are in the Sahel region. Now the problem of someone that is in the North-East or North-West cannot be the same problem of the people in the swamp region; it cannot be the same with the people in the forest region.

“So, what is the significance of dams? What will dams do? Dams are for those who don’t get enough rains. The northerners don’t have enough water, so they need dams. So, if that is the solution to their problem, that cannot be the solution of Nigeria. There is always a unifying force for people to say, ‘Let there be restructuring.’ People should be able to negotiate on this structure that we have, so that a section of the country does not have undue advantage over other sections of the country,” the Ogbia monarch said.

For the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, a paramount ruler in Ondo State, there are many imbalances in the Nigerian system and only restructuring can correct them. He told our correspondent that no monarch should ignore restructuring demands.

“I must say that we cannot shy away from the restructuring of this country. Remember that we are talking about an equitable society where we will all see ourselves as one and not a lopsided situation as we currently have. We need to restructure the political frame of the country; the fiscal federalism must equally be addressed.

“We must, therefore, look for a way to discuss these challenges and the best way to overcome them is by the restructuring of Nigeria,” the Deji of Akure said.

Similarly, an Ekiti monarch, the Ajero of Ijero, Oba Adebayo Adewole, argued that, contrary to the view of the Sultan, the country would not progress without political restructuring.

Oba Adewole said, “I believe strongly in restructuring. There is no need for a region to be dragging another region behind. Each state should develop at its pace and control its resources.

“This is why the Niger Delta people are agitating; they feel they are the ones generating the wealth of the nation and their region is not developed. If Nigeria is restructured, the economic and security challenges will go away.”

Similarly, a first-class traditional ruler from Imo State, Obi of Ihim, Eze Oliver Ohanwe, noted that the northern monarch’s preference for economic restructuring would not bring about equity, fairness and justice that Nigerians are clamouring for.  He asserted that anything aside full restructuring would continue to undermine the unity of the country.

“I do not agree with the Sultan of Sokoto with his take on restructuring. We need to restructure the country. Agitations for the restructuring of the country did not start today. They started during the amalgamation in 1914 — most Nigerians support restructuring of the country.”

In the same vein, the Okirika-Ama, Umuokirika in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of the state, Eze Dom Okoro (Eze Okirika I) told SUNDAY PUNCH that he was not surprised that the Sultan did not throw his weight being the restructuring that many Nigerians wanted.

He said, “I say this because they (northerners) are beneficiaries of the current distortions in the country.  By that campaign from the Sultan, they want the existing imbalance and cheating in the country to continue.”

His view was shared by another paramount ruler, Dr. Ikechukwu Okoligwe, (Okukoro II) of Awo-Idemili in Orsu Local Government Area, Imo State.

The monarch said, “Many Nigerians are calling for restructuring for us to have equity and fairness in the country. If we fail to do that, we would be deceiving ourselves.”

However, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, told SUNDAY PUNCH that he agreed with the Sultan’s call for economic restructuring.

“I sat with the Sultan and he explained what he meant to me. He explained everything about the devolution of the economy to me and I agreed with him. If restructuring is about breaking up the country, I am against it. But if it is about how to improve the welfare of the people, I will support it,” he stated.

Oba Akanbi added that there should be a clear understanding of the restructuring being called for.

“So many people do not understand what the restructuring is about. Many think it is about the break-up of the country and the people must be educated that the restructuring they are clamouring for is not to break up the country.

“What I would advocate is industrialisation. This government must do everything to ensure that Nigeria is industrialised. The kind of agriculture we are practising in Nigeria is wasting our produce. Farmers lose 75 per cent of their produce after harvest,” he said.

Source: Punch

OSINBAJO: Niger state can feed half of Africa

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, says Niger State, with its rich agricultural potentials and resources should develop the capacity to feed both the country and about half of the African continent.

Osinbajo, while highlighting the local and international economic potentials of states in Nigeria, stated that “Indeed, this state like most of Nigeria is largely an undiscovered jewel; a real treasure hiding in plain sight. The vision is to position Niger State to feed at least 50% of Africa. This may sound like a tall order given today’s level of production. But we should always set our sights high.”

The Acting President made the statement on Monday in Minna at the Investment Summit organised by Niger State tagged “Truly Niger” to showcase the rich potentials of the State to investors.

Delivering the keynote address as Special Guest of Honour at the ceremony chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Acting President spoke on the theme Impacting Investment For Advancing Agricultural Economy and Innovation stating that “even in the best days of oil dominance in Nigeria, agriculture provided jobs for 30 percent of our population, and about the same percentage in contribution to GDP.”

Continuing, he noted that Agriculture is clearly the surest pathway to diversifying the economy, ensuring food security and improving foreign exchange earnings.

Speaking to industry chieftains, bankers, financial experts and senior government officials at the Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, in Minna, Prof Osinbajo noted that Niger State “boasts of size, occupying 10% of Nigeria’s land area, this is perhaps the largest tracts of arable land in the sub-region, the largest number of hydro-power assets, a hardworking, resourceful, youthful population and an experienced and purposeful leadership.”

He noted that the state “is rightly proactively seeking sustainable, long-term investments that will support the inclusive, sustainable and resilient growth and development that the State needs. I expect that the summit will deliver the connections, the networks and investment collaboration that it was designed for.”

Before declaring the investment summit open, Prof. Osinbajo recalled the efforts of the Niger State government to make the State more business-friendly, and implored the State government to leverage on existing measures such as the creation of the Niger State Geographic Information System (NIGIS); the streamlined issuance of certificates of occupancy within 72 hours; and the reduction in the cost of getting a Certificate of Occupancy by 90% (from between N150,000 – N180,000) to only N15,000 to achieve its investment objectives.

Prof Osinbajo noted that the State must utilize “its advantage of being close to New York, a model which Ogun State is also successfully implementing in relation to Lagos State, ” adding that the State must take advantage of its location close to the Federal Capital Territory to become a manufacturing hub.

“This is especially the case for Small and Medium enterprises that can produce light manufacturers to serve the rapidly growing population of Abuja,” the Acting President stated.
During his remarks at the occasion, the Governor of the State, Alhaji Sani Bello said the summit was conceived to showcase the rich agricultural potentials of the State to investors, promising that the outcome of the summit would be implemented by his government.

Dignitaries at the event included, former President Obasanjo, the former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar; Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; Deputy Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Ahmed Kesto; Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audi Ogbeh; Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan; Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Alh Bawa Bwari; Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubabkar and several other top government officials.

Source: RipplesNigeria

Moving Agric varsities to Agric Ministry

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Chief Audu Ogbeh announced last week that the process of taking over the Federal Universities of Agriculture [FUAs] by his ministry has been completed. He said this at a meeting with members of governing councils of Federal Universities of Agriculture in Abuja on Tuesday last week, August 8. The affected universities which were established in 1982 are Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State; Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State. 

The federal government had in February this year approved the transfer of these FUAs from the Federal Ministry of Education to that of Agriculture, a measure which government said was for “effective supervision of the institutions.” Speaking last week, Ogbeh said “every undergraduate in the universities should own a viable farmland in the institutions from 200 Level of study till graduation.”  The minister also said the federal government has no intention of cancelling non-agriculture courses or expelling students who are not studying agriculture-based courses in the FUAs. He further called on the universities to promote seed development and research activities to boost their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). 

In response, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike  Lawal Zayyana assured the minister that the council would strive to promote the government’s agriculture agenda. However, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Aboki Zhawa underscored the need to amend the Act establishing the universities. His observation was the first step that government should have taken before transferring the FUAs to FMARD, assuming this take over is necessary. The provisions of the Act establishing these universities must be amended in order to enable them to accommodate some of the changes to be introduced in their academic programmes. For example, the minister has already directed the FUAs to establish colleges of nutrition. He said the revival or establishment of the colleges is necessary to improve the health status of citizens and also reduce ailments in the country. 

While some of the health challenges Nigerian citizens suffer could be linked to diet or lifestyle, such is not a factor that can justify the transfer of FUAs to the Agriculture Ministry. It would be a faulty argument to rationalize that the concerns on nutrition, food processing, storage and packaging raised by the minister were as a result of the institutions being supervised by the Federal Ministry of Education. Their placement under the Education Ministry’s supervision all these years could not have hampered the development of the country’s agricultural sector or the realization of the institutions’ mandate. 

If, for instance, FUAs were found to have departed from their core mandates by offering non-agriculture courses such as accounting, their transfer to FMARD isn’t the best solution. The National Universities Commission [NUC] alone has the power and mechanism to deal with such issues. Besides, FMARD is not the only Ministry that is technically linked to some specialized universities. If the transfer of the FUAs to FMARD is allowed to stand, it would not be surprising to soon hear some ministries including the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology calling for the transfer of all Federal Universities of Technology [FUTs] to its supervision. 

Nothing stops FMARD from strategically supporting the FUAs in terms of funding or research initiatives even when they are under the control of the Education ministry. After takeover too, FMARD would still have little to do in terms of monitoring and evaluation because that is the statutory duty of NUC. What our public universities need most is proper funding and effective policy implementation, not inter-ministerial takeover. For harmonization purposes and ease of coordination, we call for the suspension of further action on the transfer of the three FUAs to FMARD. The status-quo should be maintained on this matter to halt frequent flip-flop in government policies.

Source: Daily Trust

Youths to cultivate cassava in Auchi – AFAN chairman

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Dr Mohammed Abdullahi, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Edo North Senatorial District, on Monday said that youths in the area would cultivate 500 hectares of cassava next year.

Abdullahi disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Auchi, the headquarters of Etsako-West Local Government Area of the state.

He said that the cassava project would be under the Edo Government/Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.

He said that no fewer than 200 youths would be registered under cooperative societies and each of the farmers would cultivate one hectare of land.

Abdullahi said the Auchi community had provided land for the project while government would provide funds for land preparation which would commence in Dec. as well as input.

The chairman said the state government’s Cluster Farming Scheme, was initiated to empower the youths to become self-reliant.

He said that the state government had approved the Ozemhoya Multipurpose Cooperative Society as the off-taker of the produce.

“The state government has directed that we register 200 youths for the project and we are appealing to the youths in the senatorial district to key into the project.

“This is a forum for them to be empowered; this government is showing very serious interest in agriculture.

NAN reports that the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme is a CBN’s initiative which is aimed at creating economic linkage between small scale farmers (out growers) and reputable large scale processors.

Source: The Nation

Bank of Agric Unveils Plans to Support Kwara Farmers

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Bank of Agriculture (BoA) has disclosed that it would provide support to farmers in Kwara State to boost their yields.

Executive Director of the BOA in charge of Finance and Risk Management, Prince Niyi Akenzua, made this disclosure during a visit to the Kwara State Governor, Mr Abdulfatah Ahmed.

During the courtesy call, Mr Akenzua commended the Governor for his administration’s micro-credit intervention scheme for Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the state.

He described the state’s SMEs programme as well-structured, noting that the model does not exist in any other state of the federation.

While speaking on the purpose of their visit to the Governor, the Executive Director explained that the new management intends to partner with the state by providing farm implements such as tractors so as to ensure massive production of crops and stem the tide of rural-urban migration.

Governor Ahmed, in his response, advised the bank to attach importance to its anchor borrower’s scheme, maintaining that it was very critical in keeping farmers in the agric business.

He said the government was ready to take advantage of the partnership to expand its Off-Taker Demand Driving Agriculture scheme.

Source: Business Post