Abbas Yushau Yusuf
Governor of Kano State, Dr.Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said the presence of President Muhammad Buhari at the flag-off of this year’s wheat planting exercise will encourage the increase and the production of the cereal by the farmers.
Represented by his Deputy Dr.Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna,the Governor made the statement on friday at the National Wheat Stakeholders Workshop held at the Tahir Guest Palace, Kano.
He pointed out that the President’s presence at the flag-off of the wheat planting exercise in Kano will spur the farmers to repeat success achieved following the launching of rice planting in Kebbi State.
“We therefore extends our invitation to President Muhammad Buhari to the flag-off of this year’s wheat planting exercise in Kano “Ganduje said.
The Governor also highlighted that the way the Federal Government is spending over 4 billion dollars for the importation of wheat, the money is enough to complement the commitment and zeal shown by the farmers when converted to support the production of wheat locally across the country.
He also maintained that the production of wheat would provide job opportunities and food security in the State, noting that the Kano Government has provided 64,000 hectares of land for the successful implementation of the programme.
“Kano is prepared..We have arable land and technology even the farmers are ready therefore i hereby called on all stakeholders to join hands with the State Government in making this dream a reality”he said.
He however commended President Muhammad Buhari’s administration for its laudable policies and programmes aimed towards developing agriculture in the country.
In his remarks, the Minister Of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alh.Muhammad Sabo Nanono represented by a Director in the ministry, Hajiya Karima Babangida said the essence of the gathering is to synergies with various stakeholders with a view to improve the production of wheat in the country.
The Minister explained that Nigeria is blessed with vast agricultural land that would drive its economy forward,adding that the ministry in its effort to improve wheat farming it has provided seeds to farmers and entrepreneurs free in order to achieve the set goals.
Speaking, the President of the Wheat Farmers Association Of Nigeria, Alh.Salim Saleh Muhammad commended the Kano State Government for the support given to them describing the gesture as worthy of emulation.
Alh.Muhammad further said that through the support of 200 million Naira they received from the Kano State Government in offering free about 98,000 farmers were engaged in wheat production while over 28,000 are producing seeds for the development of wheat farming in the country.
In a statement by the Deputy Governor’s CPS Hassan Musa Fagge said the Workshop with the theme-Transforming Wheat Production in Nigeria through increasing synergies and adopting new technologies was attended by various stakeholders which includes legislators, Commissioners,Development partners,entrepreneurs and wheat farmers
