Niger State Government has advocated the need to embrace the initiative of the Growth Enhancement Scheme for the benefit of farmers and agricultural production in the State.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr. Daniel Clifford Shashere disclosed this at the opening ceremony of a workshop on the Growth Enhancement Scheme and the use of Improved Seeds/Seedlings held at U.K. Bello Arts Theatre, Minna, yesterday.
He said that the State Government was taking maximum advantage of the agricultural transformation agenda of the Federal Government, especially along the value chain of high crops such as Rice, Cotton, Cassava and Soya Beans to improve production in the state.
According to him agriculture which was the main stay of the nation’s economy before the advent of oil, needs to be given all the necessary support and assistance required for sustainable economic development and food security in the country.
He said the State had the largest land mass in the country, about 80% of which was arable and if properly harnessed could help enhance food security in the country and diversify the economy.
Earlier, Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Mohammed Kwatu Abdullahi said that the Growth Enhancement Scheme was an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture aimed at addressing the challenges of inputs and subsidy administration.