The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has said the Federal Government will distribute 2000 smoking kilns in the next two months.
Chief Ogbeh stated this in Abuja at the joint world press conference to mark this year’s World Food Day celebrated by over 100 countries on Monday.
Chief Ogbeh also outlined some of the achievements of the Federal Government to include providing 25% input subsidy contribution to 6.5 million farmers under the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme for private-managed fertilizer supply for wet season and dry season farming across the various commodity value chains.
He said the ministry has also purchased a set of laboratory equipment to establish an aflatoxin lab in ABU, Zaria and University of Agriculture Makurdi as well as trained three technicians in India on management of aflatoxin.
Ogbeh, however, stressed that to achieve the country’s agricultural policy blueprint - the Green Alternative - government was working tirelessly in the areas of certified seed, credit facility to farmers by strengthening the Bank of Agriculture and certification of fish farms as well as development of dairy industry.
By Vincent A. Yusuf
Daily Trust News
