The Katsina State Government has said that it has decided to invest N30 billion in agriculture in the state. The investment is part of efforts to boost agriculture and improve food security. In this regard the objective is to promote mechanised agricultural practices towards, ease the challenges of the farmers and enhance economic development at the local level.
The state Governor, Mallam Dikko Umar Radda, who announced this recently, said the development was a continuous effort to enhance agricultural activities for food production and rural economy.
As part of efforts to do this, Mallam Radda went to China, shortly after his vacation, to explore ways of modernising agriculture in his state. He said part of the amount would be utilised for the setting up of agric mechanisation centres in each local government area.
The governor said the centres would train farmers on modern agricultural techniques and supply them with agricultural facilities, such that both large scale as well as small scale farmers would have equal access to facilities.
According to him, “You cannot develop a state with 90 percent of its population as farmers without investing in agriculture. Therefore, under the arrangement, the centres will provide farmers with modern tractors, combine harvesters, improve seeds and other needed facilities”.
Radda acknowledged the current economic hardship in the country and called for patience and understanding from the people of the state. He assured that the government is working to introduce new measures to alleviate suffering.
He also pledged to tour the three senatorial zones of the state to get first-hand information from the people on how best they want to be served.
