Minister urges governors to provide irrigation facilities to boost agricultural production


The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh has called on state governors to provide irrigation facilities to boost agricultural production in their various states.
The minister made this call in Abuja on Wednesday at the ongoing Sectoral Debate on Nigerian Economy at the House Representatives.
Ogbeh said that the ministry was discussing with 10 states to produce 10 tonnes of rice per annum each to enable the country achieve self sufficiency in rice production by 2019.
The minister said this would be achieved only if states provide irrigation facilities as the country could not afford to depend on wet season agricultural activities alone.
``We are trying to talk to 10 states now; they have to give us 10 tonnes of paddy per annum.
``But the governors have to help us lead the way, providing irrigation facilities and helping the farmers achieve their targets.
``The Governors of Kebbi, Kano, Jigawa, Anambra and many other stakeholders are getting involved in this programme.
``We are trying to expand rice in Ogun state because of the water to keep rice wet.
``Adamawa, Kogi, Taraba, Sokoto, Zamfara and Benue are to come on board in the next season,`` Ogbeh said.
On existing agricultural policy, Ogbeh said there would be no policy somersault, adding that he and his team would deepen the system well enough to add more value.
According to him, when a policy is doing well, there would be no reason for anybody to cancel what had been well done.


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