Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has flagged-off the distribution of improved seedlings to the 23 local governments areas.
Speaking during the flag-off at the premises of Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Makurdi, Governor Ortom tasked council chairmen to ensure that the improved seedlings are given to genuine farmers for cultivation in this year’s farming season.
The improved seedlings include 6,900 bags of rice, 833 bags of maize, 1,000 tins of watermelon seeds, 333 bags of sorghum and 11,000 bundles of cassava stems.
Ortom commended the Bureau for initiating and sustaining the agricultural programme, saying he was impressed with the results achieved in the last two years.
While he called on the people to key into the programme to further boost the agriculture sub sector and enhance food security, Ortom said with two private investors in Makurdi and Ukum LGAs, as off takers in cassava processing, cassava which is its major raw material, was already in short supply.
He directed the Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to liaise with the agriculture departments of local governments to organize a seminar for farmers on best modes of cultivation of the improved seeds to produce the needed result.
Earlier, the Special Adviser, Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Ken Achabo, lauded the governor for the prioritizing agriculture expressing confidence that the the improved seedlings would boost farm yields of farmers in the state and improve their livelihoods.
Chairman of Guma local government council, Mr Mike Ubah, on behalf of the 23 council chairmen, appreciated the Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for initiating the agricultural programme in collaboration with the State government and assured that the real farmers in the local governments will benefit from the seeds.