Nigeria is to establish 400 one-stop shops or agric-input service centers in commercially viable sites by 2010, the country’s Agriculture and Water Resources, Minister Sayyadi Ruma said in Abuja on Tuesday.
Ruma, who spoke at the “Raise Nigeria Stakeholders Forum on Agro-inputs Market and Development”, explained that the program was an initiative aimed at developing commercial agriculture in collaboration with the private sector and targeted at small, medium and large scale production. He added that it was designed to promote access of farmers to agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, agro-chemicals, quality seeds and tractor services at affordable rates.
“These can only be achieved through accessibility, availability and affordability of agricultural inputs and markets for Nigerian farmers,” Ruma, represented by Mr Jonathan Dangwari, a director in the ministry, said.
Ruma said the program was also aimed at nurturing a new generation of highly motivated and commercial agriculturists that are knowledge-driven and entrepreneurial, with a stake in the overall development of the nation’s agricultural sector.
“This forum is to develop and agree on a strategy and action plan for the implementation of the supply chain of agro-inputs and a one-stop shop in rural and under-served farming communities.’’ Ruma added.
Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, Director of Fertiliser in the ministry, said the program was intended to consolidate the presence of the private sector in agro-inputs markets.
Source African Press Agency
loading...
