Food security: Taraba, AFDB moves to boost agricultural production

Taraba State government in collaboration with the African Development Bank, Friday  moved to  boost agricultural production in the State

Leader of a consortium group, Me. Shuaibu Bello made the disclosured during an assessment tour in Lau and Karim Lamido Local Government Area.

The team during their tour visited the Chairman of Lau Local Government Council, Hon.  Nigeria Jatau and Karim Lamido Local Government Area, Bitrus Dan Jos including the Chief of Lau Umar Danburam and that of Wurkun Yakubu Ciroma.

Speaking during the visits, Shuaibu Bello explained that the consortium group is made up of reputable companies from China, India South Africa and others who are going to construct bridges and empower farmers to improve yields..

He explained that their visit to the State was part of the fulfilment by the African development bank for Taraba State to obtain the loan of over one hundred billion naira from the Special Agro Industrial Processing Zone Project.

Bello opined that Lau and Karim Lamido Local Government Area have the capacity to feed the nation which would no doubt boost the revenue of the State.

Shuaibu Bello, thanked Governor Agbu Kefas for his push and support which has enabled them to commence the project in good time.

He also commended the Commissioner of Agriculture and Food security, Professor Nicholas Namessan Oliver for his painstaking effort that necessitated their visit to the state.

Bello emphasized that the project when completed would employ lots of youths in the State.

"The African Development Bank is playing a positive role in catalysing agriculture in Africa into an internationally competitive sector and an important contributor to sustainable development. 

"At its core of this transformation, the Bank is working with governments and the private sector in 11 African countries to create Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) that will turn the rural landscape into economic zones of prosperity and harnessing the power of commercial agriculture and food production." He said.

Earlier, Commissioner of Agriculture and Food security, Professor Nicholas Namessan Oliver appreciated Governor Agbu Kefas for initiating the Agro farming program that would stimulate growth of the State.

Professor Nicholas Namessan Oliver noted that Lau and Karim axis would serve as center of the project while others would be establish in Wukari for the Southern Zone and Sardauna Local Government Area.

He called on people of the State to always support government policies that are geared towards improving the lots of the people.

Eleven states benefited from the African Development Bank Agro project while Taraba State has been picked to benefit from the second phase.

Member Representing Jalingo ii State Constituency, Hon. Uba Maigari and his counterpart from Ibi, Sanusi Zakari, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Food security, Saleh Pavali and other government functionaries accompanied the team.