COVID-19: FG approves N13B for pest control
The federal government has approved N13billion intervention fund for pest control in Nigeria.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono stated this during the flag – off of the 2020 dry season control of trans-boundary pest for 12 frontline northern states held at Birnin Kebbi International Airport in Kebbi state.
In a statement by the ministry’s Director of Information, Theodore Ogaziechi, Nanono said the intervention fund is to ensure uninterrupted agricultural activities during 2020 farming season, control trans-boundary pests and minimize the impact of the COVID – 19 pandemic as well as guarantee both nutritional and national food security.
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He said the 12 frontline states are Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba,Yobe and Borno.
The statement stated that ‘’Nanono noted that the present global COVID – 19 pandemic and reports of desert locust outbreak in East Africa and the Middle East with the possibility of spill over of the huge locust swarm into West Africa including Nigeria, necessitated the proactive measures, including control of all trans-boundary pest to ensure uninterrupted food supply in the country.’’
The minister emphasized that the present administration is determined to fight any menace that would truncate the tremendous successes recorded so far in the agricultural sector
Nanono said further that ‘’the choice of Kebbi state for the flag- off is deliberate, in view of the extensive agricultural activities in the state and the immense cooperation and collaboration of the state government in the implementation of agricultural interventions over the years.’’
The minister lauded Governor Abubakar Bagudu and other governors of frontline states for their collaboration and cooperation with the ministry towards reducing the effects of the migratory pests (quelea birds, locusts and grasshoppers) in the 12 states.
Earlier, Governor Bagudu commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his vision and people oriented policies in the agricultural sector which he said, would ensure job creation, food security and boost the economy for the betterment of Nigerians.
