From ShuaibuZbairTatu, BirninKebbi
Members of Amana Farmers and Grains Suppliers Association of Nigeria (AFGASAN) have donated relief materials to Kebbi Government, in sympathy and solidarity with the state government over the recent floods which have affected the state,
The national chairman of the association, AlhajiHaruna Ahmad Pambeguwa flanked by other national officials and members of the association yesterday presented the items to Governor AbubakarAtikuBagudu at Government House, BirninKebbi.
In his remarks, the national chairman of the association AlhajiHaruna Ahmad Pambeguwa expressed sympathy of the association to the governor over the unfortunate flood incident across the state.
He said the entire association was full of sympathy to the affected flood victims and concerned about the colossal damage to farmlands and government infrastructure.
Pambeguwa told the governor that the association deemed it necessary to also join other Nigerians in prayers and donation of relief materials to flood victims in state.
“We are not unmindful of the giant role the state is play in the food chain of Nigeria under your able plausible and formidable leadership your excellency .
“Kebbi is in the forefront of food production especially rice in Nigeria due to your good leadership sir, ” he said.
According to the chairman also, the association is not only assisting the flood victims with food items but engaged its agricultural experts under the supervision of a professor to explore production of quick and effective seeds through research for distribution to farmers.
He commended Governor AbubakarAtikuBagudu for fulfilling his promise of leading the association’s executive to meet President MuhammaduBuhari in Abuja.
The items donated by the association include, 2019 bags of 10 kg of improved rice seeds, 600 bags of assorted fertilizer,535 bags of millet and 560 bags of maize.
Responding, the governor appreciated the leader of the team and his entourage for the visit also encouraged them to take advantage of the Federal Government loan scheme through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Bagudu urged them to liaise with Rice Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) so that they would be guided on how to secure the loan.
“I want to assure you of my readiness to lead you secure the loan but the best way to go is for you to unfold your needs first so that we can forward it through appropriate channel.
“Especially with this flood menace, there is the need for cultivation of more crops, there is also need for value chain.
“If possible, you can deliberate on this today to enable us present the case early to pave way for process of the loan to commence because dry season farming is fast approaching.”
He said President MuhammaduBuhari was always emphasising that Nigerians must wake up to feed themselves through cultivation of agricultural produce.
“We should not only stop at producing for our local consumption but also take the surplus to the market.
“Nigeria entered into agreement with other African countries for the region to become a single market, meaning that people from other African countries can come down to sell their goods here in Nigeria and our marketers too can take their produce to any country in the region to sell.
“Therefore, there is need for us to wake up before the agreement takes effect, so that we will not be left behind, we want Nigerians to be taking their produce or processed food not only to African countries but to Europe, America and Asia.”
Bagudu advised them to take their businesses seriously with a view to expanding and transforming into modern commerce.
