Kaduna successfully attracting private investors, says governor

Governor of Kaduna State,Nasir El Rufai

Contrary to what is happening in most states of Nigeria, the Kaduna state government has achieved tremendous success in attracting private investors. This was disclosed by the governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai through a representative, Mrs. Ambi Maikaswa, during a national symposium on agriculture organized by Premium Times, Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) and the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) in Abuja on Monday.

She said the Kaduna State Government has partnered with Vimcampo Potato Farm and Processing which is also a rice and potato processing plant in West Africa, located in Manchock, Kaura Local government Area. “The $120 million plant when completed will provide about 30,000 jobs, with 200,000 out-grower farmers. The state government intends that 60 per cent of the French fries produced will be exported,” she said.

She also disclosed that Olam Integrated feed Mill and Poultry project invested $150 million to establish two state of the art animal feed mills, poultry feed mills, poultry breeding farms and a hatchery in Kaduna and Kwara state.

Also speaking at the event, an agricultural consultant to the Governors Forum, Professor Babagana Abba Gambo, said that the neglect of government in value chain development is making the agricultural sector fast deteriorating as he tasked the federal government to wade into issues affecting the value chain of the sector for increased productivity in food production in the country.

Cross Section of event

He highlighted challenges facing the agriculture sector to include environmental issues caused by climate change, insurgency, harsh environment vagaries, low knowledge, poor access to credit, inadequate and ineffective extensions and insecurity and national disasters saying that every zone has its peculiar challenges adding that there is no food security in Nigeria because the problems result in low input which yield low output. 

The professor frowned at the way market women are under priced, a factor he said was “discouraging, as they make a living off their farm produce whereas same people who under price them go to super stores to buy same goods at a much more higher price than they offered to this women”.

He decried the fact that in the entire 36 states, there is no single government agric processing plant which reduces agric wastages.

“Dangote had opened a tomato processing plant in Kura but instantly closed it down, it’s bad. Individuals like him and the government should open agro processing plants in the country”, he noted.

He also stressed the need for improved access to credit pointing out that it should be made easier especially pertaining to collateral adding that interest rate for farmers’ loans should not exceed single digit.

While urging state governments to identify their agricultural comparative advantages, he called for a comprehensive farmers’ database, comprehensive soil map which is very important for investors. “It would help provide investors with information on what particular fertilizer is best for their farm lands”, he said. 

Other necessary actions, he said, include efficient water management systems, germplasm development and research and development.

Mr. Maduka, the National Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Cassava Growers Association, said until the perception of Nigerians concerning the sector evolves from Agriculture to Agribusiness the sector would not move forward.