FG boosting agricultural exports – Ogbe

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe has emphasized the Federal government’s support to agriculture especially in boosting agricultural exports by putting in place measures to facilitate zero reject of our agricultural exports products.

These he said include on-going sensitization tours to sensitize producers and processors to enable our agro-exports meet the prescribed international standards.

Chief Ogbe speaking at Sheda in Gwagwalada Abuja at the 2017 “Farmers’ Day and Seed Fair” organized by the National Agricultural seeds Council (NASC) in conjunction with SEEDAN and IITA said “It is quite heartwarming to note that this annual event is aimed at creating awareness among our great farmers and the farming communities.

It is also aimed at showcasing the availability of different arrays of highly improved crop varieties that can enhance the productivity and increase national food production.

It is, therefore, a welcome development that the Seed Council has over the years maintained this tradition by keeping faith with our farmers by commemorating this day, in line with our commitment of providing adequate support to our esteemed farmers, despite the present economic challenges”.

The Minister revealed that the government has also embarked on aggressive dissemination of proven Agricultural technologies and training of farmers through massive extension programs, thus the Federal Department of Agricultural extension is been directed to collaborate with NASC on dissemination of seed related technologies.

“I am happy to share with you that all these efforts are yielding positive results as evident in anticipated bumper harvest in this year cropping season as the National Bureau of Statistics has also recently reported that our economy is witnessing positive growth and GDP, attributable mainly to increased Agricultural productivity and exports, as well as other impactful policies of Government.

“Quality seed is paramount to enhancing agricultural productivity as it contributes more than 50% of increased crop productivity per unit area.

It is not only the cheapest input, but it is the critical input in enhancing the efficiency of other agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, agro chemicals, irrigation and capital”, he assured.

Ogbe maintained that the event is aimed at enlightening farmers, students and stakeholders on the benefit of using improved seeds which is paramount to the farmers.

“Today’s event is aimed at enlightening farmers, students and other stakeholders on the benefits of using improved seeds as against the farmers “saved seeds” which is currently the prevalent practice in the rural farming communities.

I understand that elite varieties from both the public and private sector are included in the entries being demonstrated.

This is a good indication that the private sector has tapped into the favorable environment created by government in order to contribute its quota to increase agricultural productivity and food security”.

The Minister assured that in the coming year’s budgets, government will ensure that adequate provision is made for seed improvement for the benefit of our farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

“Agricultural production productivity begins with quality seeds and seedlings. In the same vein, poor seeds lead to poor harvest and poor harvest accentuate poverty, human misery and the unattractiveness of agriculture to our teeming youth.

On the flip side of the coin is that, higher yields not only lead to higher income but also improved quality of life and greater well-being of the citizenry”, he said.

In his earlier remarks, the director General of the council Dr. Philip Olusegun Ojo urged seed companies to join in creating awareness among farmers in their various locations of operation to demonstrate the potentials of improved seeds.

“This will significantly assist farmers to know the varieties that are best suited for their ecology”, he said.