20,000 FARMERS IN BENUE STATE TO ACCESS CBN- AGRIC LOAN

Farmers

The Benue State government recently commenced the distribution of farm inputs and loans to 20,000 farmers in the state for the cultivation of rice, soya beans, beniseeds and maize during this farming season.

Governor Samuel Ortom was represented at the ceremony which took place at IBB square Makurdi, by his Deputy Engineer Benson Abounu.

The Governor stated that loans would be given to more farmers to encourage them to embark on mechanized farming to boost food production and food security. While launching the scheme to 20,000 farmers across the geo- political zones of the state, Ortom said his government has mapped out strategies aimed at creating jobs and wealth for the people of the state.

The Governor said he expected 30,000 jobs to be created in the state through agro-based scheme. He enjoined the beneficiaries to use the loan for the purpose for which they were meant stressing that it was a loan not a donation. The Government, he said would encourage all year round farming which would be beneficial to both the farmers and the society at large because it would help farmers to improve on their productivity and revenue.

The branch controller of CBN in Benue State, Abba Baba in his remark noted that the choice of Benue was deliberate because the state was strategic in food production in the country. The CBN controller added that the programme was also aimed at small farmer holders with emphasis on rice, soya beans and other crops.

The loans are being granted to the farmers through their registered co-operative society groups. A cross section of farmers who spoke to Food Farm News expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, the central bank of Nigeria and the Benue state Government for the facility and inputs which they express optimism, it will boost food production and improve their financial status.

The chairman of AFAN in the State Comrade Aondona Kuhe advised farmers to ensure judicious use of the loan and farm inputs and avoid diverting them. The All Farmers Association (AFAN) Chairman thanked the Government for taking the ordinary farmers along in the efforts to diversify the economy of the nation now that the oil sector has depreciated drastically.  

CASTOR BEAN SEED; AN ALTERNATIVE TO CRUDE OIL- Prof Lateef Lekan  Bello,

The castor bean seed development by the University of Agriculture Makurdi was sponsored by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) Abuja.

The Focus was to involve castor varieties for farmers to plant so that castor oil processing machines already in Nigeria could have seeds to crush for production of castor oil.

This is contained in an inaugural lecture presented by Professor Lateef Lekan Bello, Professor of plant breeding and Genetics and Director Seed Technology centre University of Agriculture Makurdi.

Titled Genetic Diversity: The soul of improved seed production for mankind, the professor noted that if attention would be given to the production as well as marketing of a promising crop like castor in Nigeria, it may go a long way to reduce the over- dependence on petroleum products for foreign exchange earnings.

           

 He called on the Minister of Agriculture who he observed was familiar with the crop and knows the importance and the role the crop plays in any economy to give it a chance during his tenure.