The National
Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) says it has made plans to help
77,400 people set up farms.
According to the
agency, the farmers would be drawn from across the 774 local governments areas
of the country.
NALDA was created by
Ibrahim Babangida, a former military ruler, in 1992 through decree No.92 but in
2000 it was abolished by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
President Muhammadu
Buhari resuscitated the agency in May.
“We intend to have
77,400 young farmers injected into Nigerian farming businesses across the
nation in different farming activities ranging from crop farming to animal
husbandry,” Ikonne said on Monday.
“These young farmers
will be drawn from the 774 local governments, with a pilot number of 100 per
local government. In this initiative we will partner with governors for
provision or donation of land and other stakeholders as this will create
employment and food production will be increased.
“We will use this
program to encourage everyone to go back to the farm by reaching out to the
military and paramilitary organizations, national assembly members, civil and
public servants, journalists, corporate bodies, religious organizations and
individuals.
“You will agree with
me that all these organisations mentioned and some individuals have land that
is not being put to use, so we intend to encourage them to use these lands for
farming even if it is for personal consumption.
“Nigeria’s potential
in the agricultural sector cannot be overemphasized and having identified the
lapses of why we as a nation have not attained the height of food sufficiency,
NALDA under my watch will provide the required leadership and with the support
of Mr President we will achieve our mandate.”
Ikonne said the
agency intends to achieve the programmes within six months and the programmes
would be the “starting point” for the agency to meet the mandate of the
Muhammadu Buhari-led administration of producing food for all Nigerians.
The executive
secretary said the agency’s mandate is to “make agriculture a source of wealth
creation for the country” by encouraging the production of soybean and palm oil
for export.
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