I will shift attention to agriculture – Almakura

I will shift attention to agriculture – Almakura

Nasarawa State Governor, Umaru Tanko Almakura says his administration will shift attention to the agricultural sector in the state to ensure that the sector is revived and to be able to cater for the needs of farmers in the state and engage the youths in the sector.

He further explained that about four Chinese fertilizer blending companies are to commence operations in Nasarawa state in the next 45 days in order to produce fertilizer for this year’s farming season for farmers at subsidized rates.

Nasarawa state governor Umaru Tanko Almakura who stated this in Lafia while conducting the Chinese investors round the moribund fertilizer blending company in the state which was established during the administration of former Governor Abdulahi Adamu, explained that all arrangements had been concluded between the state government and the Chinese investors to commence operations in the next 45 days

He explained that he had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with four Chinese companies (BEIDOU Group) for the procurement and installation of fertilizer blending equipment in order to boost agriculture in the state. Governor Almakura said the development is as a result of his recent visit with other northern governors to China on business exploration, adding that a close examination of other Chinese companies, BEIDOU was considered the most competent in the manufacture of fertilizer blending equipment with more than four categories of the blending equipment

that attracted the interest of the state government.

According to him “The project has already started because we brought the manufacturers to see the existing machines that we have, but have gone faulty with the hope that they will be able to determine the fault and make a quick fix.

“We are hoping that in the next few weeks, the Chinese companies will commence production of fertilizer in the state so that we will be able to meet the fertilizer need for the year.

In the next 45 days we should be able to have brand new fertilizer equipment in Nasarawa State for operations” Almakura assured The governor further explained that his next focus in the state was to embark on agricultural revolution, adding that about 70% of Nasarawa State population are farmers and promised to establish a synergy with the faculty of agriculture at the state university to add value to the agricultural sector in the state.

Speaking earlier, the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Nasrawa State University , Keffi Dr Muhammed Haruna explained that their recent visit to Pakistan on the directive of the governor to study the progress being made in the field of agriculture is already yielding fruits following the plan to commence production of basmati rice in the state.

Dr Haruna said that the procurement of fertilizer blending machines for the sole purpose of producing fertilizers at subsidized rates for local farmers will greatly address the problem of low yield recorded by farmers in the state and bring to the fore their potentials.