By Abel Leonard/ Lafia
Nasarawa State governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, has launched the United Sister’s Multipurpose Cooperative Society, in Wamba central market, a Federal Government and International Fund for Agriculture (IFAD), initiative aimed at reducing poverty.
The Gov. also commissioned a solar-powered borehole located at Haske Gari Processing Centre, Gbude, also in Wamba Local Government area, saying both activities are jointly funded by the federal government and IFAD, aimed at ensuring food security, increase small-scale farmer’s income, Enhance processing and marketing of rice and cassava, as well as promoting accelerated growth on sustainable basis.
He further explained that the Value Chain Development Programme, is the initiative of the federal government, geared towards diversifying the economy as an alternative source of revenue, added that the programme is intended to focus more attention on agricultural growth with a view to transform the sector as the mainstay of the country’s economy.
The governor while reiterating his administration determination to key into the programme, said on July, 1, 2020, his government approved the whopping sum of N176m as counterpart funds, for the take-off and implementation of the project for the period of two years.
He added that his administration will continue to align with policies of the federal government, in the collective commitment to provide the desired development that will inform the decision of the state government to attract investors like Olam Nig. Limited, Dangote Group, Azman Rice, Flour Mills Nigeria Ltd, among others.
While appreciating the FG, IFAD for choosing Nasarawa State to host the event, the governor disclosed further that similar projects were completed in Lafia and Nasarawa, while those of Doma and Karu Local Local Government Areas are ongoing.
Earlier, Programme Coordinator in the state, Dr. Eunice Adgidzi, disclosed that the programme has completed multi million naira projects across five local government areas, including five solar-powered boreholes, three market stores and two market stores.
She also added that two market stores, one market stall, as well as the cassava model 2 processing mill with crèche and restrooms, are ongoing, saying a total of 2, 233 farmers from 204 farmers’ organizations, engaged in rice and cassava production, processing and marketing, were profiled and benefiting from the project.
