The Delta State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Barr. Val Arenyeka has assuredpartners of its commitment to boost agricultural production and food security in the state.
The commissioner gave the assurance when Nigeria Cassava Growers Association, Delta State Chapter, as well as, USAID-Funded Feed the Future Nigeria Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services Activity paid separate courtesy visits to his office on Tuesday in Asaba.
The Commissioner said the Government was willing to deepen cooperation with partners and genuine farmers to bring the best agricultural practices to Deltans through training and re-training of farmers, provision of farm inputs and implements, saying that knowledge in modern agricultural methods was the best way to go if agriculture must develop and flourish.
Addressing members of the Nigeria Cassava Growers Association, Barr. Arenyeka stated that Cassava production was very famous due to gari consumption being “a key staple food in the nutrition of not only Delta State but Nigeria in general,” noting that “Delta State is the biggest producer of Cassava in the country.”
“Insecurity in Nigeria now on one hand has impacted negatively on production of Cassava, as farmers find it difficult to go to farm, while climate change on the other has equally reduced yields in Cassava production.”
He stated that the State Government was “taking steps to address insecurity, and called on the Association to assist Government to rout out bandits terrorisingfarmers and farmlands,” while stating that the Ministry was working with NIMET forecasts to advise farmers accurately.
Barr. Arenyeka enjoined the Association to pool resources together and adopt modern technology to improve Cassava production as the government alone could provide them all the farm implements and inputs for modern day farming.
While appreciating the role of USAID-Funded Feed the Future Nigeria Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services Activity in the State, the Commissioner stated that the Ministry was ready to cooperate with them, even as he appealed to them to go beyond providing Extension services but support the Government in facilitating the introduction and training of farmers in use of modern agricultural technology in all aspects of farming to increase and sustain food production in the State.
Earlier in their separate addresses, the Chairman of the Nigeria Cassava Growers Association, Delta State Chapter, Christopher Aghuno, and the State Coordinator of the USAID-Funded Feed the Future Nigeria Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services Activity, Festus Okpako, said the courtesy visits was to congratulate the Commissioner on his well-deserved appointment, as well as brief him of their activities and requests for cooperation in Agricultural production and services.
In another development, the Commissioner has expressed dissatisfaction over the low remittal into government coffers by the Revenue Consultants for the Ministry, stressing that despite the low target given to them, their remittals were far below agreed target. He further said the government would review the target even as he charged them to live up to their responsibilities as the Government would no longer tolerate excuses.
The Revenue Consultants on their parts listed some of their challenges, and promised to do their best towards fulfilling their obligations.
