KANO EARMARKS N1 BILLION FOR AGRIC PRODUCE STORAGE - GANDUJE

Kano state government has set aside N1 billion for storage facility of rice and wheat that would be produced by farmers in the state. 

The state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who announced this while receiving a delegation from Flour Millers Association of Nigeria, led by Alhaji Sa’idu Zakari Garun Babba in his office, added that N100 million has also been approved for the procurement of improved wheat seeds for the farmers.

Dr. Ganduje  said the move is to ensure that Shylock corporate and individual customers do not buy off the produce at cheap rates at once, thereby limiting the earning of the farmers, adding that a processing machine would also be procured for the wheat farmers at the cost of N18 million.

“Since our wheat is of international standard and the National Economic Council has approved 6 states including Kano for the production of this commodity, we shall purse this project seriously” the governor asserted.

Arguing that Kano has the biggest irrigation facilities in Nigeria, the governor maintained that since the Federal government is determined to stop importation of wheat, cultivators must cooperate with the government to achieve the set target.

To further encourage large scale private participation in wheat development in the state, Governor Ganduje stated that his administration has commissioned a study of dams and irrigation facilities in the state and compiled same into a booklet, so that potential investors can have easy access to the information they need in that regard.

 

Governor Ganduje commended the Flour Millers Association of Nigeria for the interest shown in investing locally, urging it to facilitate provision of technology and extension services to peasant farmers in Kano.

The leader of the delegation, Alhaji Sa’idu Zakari Garun Babba explained that they have made arrangement to engage in local production of wheat adding that they also intend to set up demonstration farms in some communities in wheat producing states, to induce best practices in wheat farming.

He noted that farmers in the state are expected to produce 100, 000 metric tonnes of wheat next year, which the millers would buy, adding that their association also intends to establish a Sorghum mill in Kano.