The ongoing Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the federal government has received a boost with the establishment of Dangote Fertiliser Limited as it will help at boosting food security in the country. This assertion was made known by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono, who called on the company to assist the Federal Government’s agricultural mechanisation scheme as well as extension services for small scale farmers.
According to the Minister, Dangote’s support is needed for the success of the mechanisation scheme, which he said, is expected to cover 632 local government areas across the nation. “It is very clear that Dangote, in one way or the other, will be helped in this programme by the Federal Government.” he said. Nanono added that Aliko Dangote’s investment in fertiliser production will contribute to improved farm yields and agricultural productivity, which are critical to Nigeria’s long-term food security.
The Minister commended Dangote for keying into the Federal Government’s Presidential Initiative on Fertiliser aimed at bringing down the cost of fertilisers across the country. “The capacity of Dangote Fertiliser is enough to change the way fertiliser is being used in this country. We are going to complement his efforts and support him in this regard. The challenge of the supply of fertiliser is going to be solved by the Dangote Fertiliser plant. I can now go home and sleep,” he said.
According to him, the Federal Government wants to make sure that Nigerians have enough food to eat. “We can only achieve the objective with enough fertiliser in the country. I am extremely proud of Aliko Dangote for what he is doing in this country. I think no other person has probably done half of what he is doing in the area of investment. If we can have just additional two of his type, this country will be completely different. I think all we have been trying to do as far as agricultural development is concerned, has been captured by the Dangote Fertiliser plant. Nigeria has a potential for agriculture. Obviously, Dangote Fertiliser is going to help the government and the farmers, he said.
He added that the Federal Government wants to make sure that Nigerians have enough food to eat. We can only achieve that objective with enough fertiliser in the country. That’s why we consider Dangote Fertiliser as a partner in progress in achieving food sufficiency in the country, he said. Nanono stated that the small-scale farmers are going to benefit from Dangote Fertiliser.
“There is a need for us to support small scale farmers who have been helping the government in respect to food security. Once the small-scale farmers get all the necessary support, there will be an agricultural revolution in this country. “Some of you will remember when the Federal Government initiated a policy to support local production of rice in Nigeria and discourage the importation of rice.”
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