FARMERS TASKED ON REBUILDING THE NORTH EAST AS AGRONIGERIA BERTHS IN ZARIA

Farmers and agro- allied practitioners

Farmers and agro- allied practitioners in the country have been urged to put all hands on deck in reviving the dwindling fortunes of agriculture in the north eastern part of the country .


This call was made in Zaria recently by a Professor of Agricultural Extension, Professor Ikani while delivering talks to an audience of farmers and research experts at the opening of the North-West branch of AgroNigeria in Zaria, Kaduna State.
  
In his remarks as the special guest, he lamented that the long duration of violence and terrorism in agricultural vibrant states has had its toll on the total output of crops in circulation around the country. He therefore tasked farmers, and researchers to adopt an integration of ideas towards restoring the fortunes of the north east of Nigeria, using agriculture.

“We have watched helplessly as farms turn battlefields, farmers chased away and produce destroyed. This is due to the terror acts then prevalent in the north. Thankfully, the military has recorded commendable progress in terms of addressing this scourge. As stakeholders, we cannot fold our hands and wait until everything is done for us by the government. We need to rise and strive to start all over again.

The government is ready to support farmers with loans and incentives to go into production of crops and rearing ofanimals. Researchers here present, i urge you to please join hands with farmers in introducing new and profit oriented ideas that would help the sector grow” Ikani enjoined, adding that progress in this regard can only be guaranteed through the harmonization of all the fields of agro-expertise towards achieving major feats in research and adoption”.

“The farmers here represent the national farm community and so whatever we collectively come up in research with a feedback from the farmers will help the sector grow. The presence of AgroNigeria in Zaria is to bridge the information gap while bringing interpretation of policies to the tables of the farmers. Let us join our hands together with AgroNigeria as a veritable media platform to preach the agriculture story”, the University Don further enjoined.

Another special guest and crop protection expert, Professor Isa Onu from Institute of Agriculture Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in his remarks tasked AgroNigeria not to relent in the pursuit of the growth of the sector while applauding the editorial depth of the magazine and quality of production. “I have held magazines and flipped through many of them. I can proudly tell you that there are no magazines now on the stands with the quality of AgroNigeria both in print and content.

In his response, the Chief Executive Officer and Editor-In-Chief, AgroNigeria, Mr. Richard-Mark Mbaram reiterated the dream of the company in ensuring that Nigerian agricultural sector gets the desired media mileage necessary for its continued recovery and viability.

“We are committed to ensuring that no effort by anyone in achieving the agricultural dream goes unnoticed” Mbaram stated, adding that the Company’s “determination to set up an office in the north is based on the resolve to help in rebuilding the economy of the north east of Nigeria, by showcasing its agricultural potentials to a broader audience.”

Mbaram noted further that if Nigeria is to guarantee enough food for both domestic consumption and for export, the terror ravaged north east needs an overhaul. “We have come to establish a mutually beneficial relationship with the agricultural community in Northern Nigeria, so that collectively, we can revive the glory of agriculture as a substitute to oil”. The AgroNigeria boss canvassed for support for President Buhari in his consolidation of the agro master plan from the past administration.

“I have come to have more respect for the President since he unveiled his plans for agriculture. This is in the sense that he has proved that he loves the sector and is determined to make sure that no favorable policy is left unimplemented. Even though the country divided under political lines during campaigns, there seems to be a harmony of ideas towards restoring agriculture as the mainstay of the country’s economy. We therefore need to join hands with him in achieving the success of his administrations agricultural
vision.”
Other guests at the ceremony included a feed mill expert Dr(Mrs) Ogundipe of Rebson Agricultural Company who urged for more support for the company’s laudable efforts.

“These people have given us pride in agriculture and so we need to help them in every legitimate way possible. Some of us who own businesses in the north have suffered some losses here and there because investors had left in the wake of the crisis .Companies had relocated to other peaceful parts of the country.

We are therefore happy that a mouthpiece that will help tell the world positive things about the north has come. We believe they will tell them that the business atmosphere for agriculture is still booming in the north while showcasing what we have to offer.”

The opening of the office which metamorphosed into a brainstorming session had guests who included farmers, seed experts and members of the academia. Located in the heart of Zaria at 14, Waff Road. The office overlooks the Military Barracks. Its a stone throw away from Congo Campus of the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic and a handful of other research institutes.