FG Expends Nine Billion Naira To Boost Food Security

The Federal Government through the Bank of Agriculture has expanded nine billion Naira on agriculture in Nigeria’s southeast region, to encourage farmers, foster food security, as well as employment of women and youths.

This assertion was made known to newsmen at Enugu when the delegation unveiled their Agriculture layout aimed to boost the economy. According to them, there are opportunities that can be tapped from in the region, that include the oil palm revolution, the cocoa enhancement, rice, among many others.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Agriculture, Kabir Mohammed, noted that there are projects that are directed at improving the employment rate in the country.

“I want to say that what we intend to do is to make sure that we support the rural women because that is one of our mandates.

“You must know that there are a lot of women in the rural area that are involved in agriculture in the south- east zone and presently, our intention is to make sure that our activities are extended to them.

“I want to say that we are looking at youth unemployment which is a global phenomenon and we are committed and have projects targeted at improving employment rate in Nigeria. We want to use agriculture to get the youths engaged thereby reducing youth restiveness drastically.”

Meanwhile, the Executive Director, Partnership, and Strategy, Dr. Gabriel Okenwa, disclosed that the Federal Government’s strategic focus on the agriculture sector is geared towards producing more food for the citizens and a lot more for export.

“I must say that Nigerians are very hard-working and resilient people and with the strategic re-focus in Agriculture now, all hands should be on deck – We will produce enough food for the people and have more for export, and I must say that the Federal Government is doing a lot in Agriculture.”

Source: AIT