… Says Deltans Will Produce For Export
TO make Delta State take its pride of place in food production in Nigeria, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has inaugurated a 14-man project management team for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Programme.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony which took place at the Government House, Asaba today (21/10/16), Governor Okowa disclosed that the programme was designed to encourage farmers to move from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture, noting that the state has the capacity to feed the country and also, produce for export.
The Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Hon. Austine Chikezie is the chairman of the team which has Mr Mathew Badaiki representing the CBN as co-chairman while Mr Kingsley Emu, Mr Augustine Ogboro, Mr George Toyin, Mr Sebastine Olomu, and Mr Godwin Ojobu as members.
Other members of the team include, Barr. Raymos Guanah, Mr Ambrose Nwabuzor, Mrs Suzan Agbala, Mrs D. O. Osadebay, Mr Ben Agamah, Mr Charles Igweku and Mr F. J. Felix.
“This programme is part of the national programme of the CBN to encourage farmers to produce more for the country because, it will in the long run increase the agricultural sector and it is our hope that it will also help grow our agricultural production and our farmers will be encouraged to go into more profitable farming,” he said.
Governor Okowa added. “with this programme, we will be able to grow our farmers from their subsistence nature to profitable farming.”
The governor urged farmers in the state to harness the benefits of the programme and concentrate in agricultural productions in the areas they have comparative advantage, especially, rice, cassava production and its value chain, aquaculture and aqua business, and oil palm production.
Elated Governor Okowa expressed hope that in the nearest future, farmers in the state would be in position to export agricultural produce to other countries of the world.
Responding on behalf of the team, Hon. Chikezie thanked Governor Okowa for creating avenues for Deltans to tap into the gains of agriculture, noting that the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme was a good intiative that would boost food production in the state.
The Agricultural Commissioner assured the governor and Deltans that members of the team would work selflessly to realise the aims and objectives of the programme in the state.
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