Fund challenges hinder dry season farming

There is great indication that the unavailability of fund may have hindered the dry season farming of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as our sources revealed the newly appointed Permanent Secretary, ARC. Sonny Echono who was a onetime procurement director in the ministry met nothing in the account purse.

The 2014 dry season farming of maize and rice to step up food production for more availability for both the local consumption and export against the year ahead have not been able to commence as our sources said the planting may be postponed till 2015 February which many stakeholders believed may not really meet the purpose of all the year round planting as rain would have started. 

Flood disaster of 2012 has necessitated the introduction of dry season farming by Mr. President as Intervention with improved inputs freely given to farmers in the affected states to checkmate shortage of food in the following year as against the wishes of some selfish Nigerians who believed the country cannot survive the period without embarking on food importation. 

Already names of farmers from the participating states in the 2014 dry season cultivations have been submitted for provision of improved seeds and fertilizer, but there are indications that lack of fund availability may have hindered this dream as the planting will not commence until February next year 2015 when planting for raining would have also started.