By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has assured the Ogun State government of their commitments to agricultural development in the State.
Minister for Agriculture, Mr Audu Ogbeh, gave this assurance during an inspection tour by the Presidential Task Force on Agriculture to the Eriwe Fish Farm settlement in Odogbolu Local Government Area of the State.
The Minister who expressed satisfaction over the way the settlement had coordinated themselves into cooperative societies, assured that the President Muhammadu Buhari led government was ready to support them with the needed financial aid.
Mr Ogbeh encouraged the farmers in the state to continue contribute their quota in ensuring food production, adding that investing in agriculture was a sure way of eradicating poverty and reducing criminal activities in the country.
He stated that no country could survive on outright importation without corresponding exportation, enjoining Nigerians to embrace agriculture, saying that the federal government would dedicate a day as from next year for Farmer’s day to celebrate the greatness in farming.
Addressing the farmers in the state, the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefielle, urged them to continue to organise themselves into groups to get the needed financial assistance with the assurance that the bank would make funds available for the state.
On his part, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Agriculture and the Governor of Kebbi State, Mr Atiku Bagudu commended the Ogun State government for focusing on agriculture just as it had also done in infrastructural development.
The host, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, appreciated the federal government for supporting agriculture in the nation, saying it was one sector capable of driving the economy out of recession.
Mr Amosun assured that any money from the Federal Government to support agricultural development in the state would be judiciously used.
