Jigawa, NBRDA to partner on agric, biotech
By Sylvester Thompson
Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa has pledged collaboration with the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) on agriculture and biotechnology to foster socioeconomic development of the state.
Namadi made the pledge when he visited the agency in Abuja.
The governor said that biotechnology research and development was key to the socioeconomic development of any nation.
Namadi requested for improved seeds for Jigawa, adding that as an agrarian state, its farmers required cutting edge science and technologies to boost their productivity.
He said that agriculture had the highest budget next to education.
“No fewer than 80 to 90 per cent of our people are farmers and for any government to succeed in Jigawa State, it must take agriculture seriously.
“Anybody that wants to grow in the sector Jigawa must take improved seeds into consideration,” he said.
The governor said it was essential that the nation’s farmers had access to high quality and high yielding seeds.
He said for Nigeria to overcome the challenge of food production, finding a solution to chemical fertiliser was imperative.
Namadi, who said he was delighted to learn about NBRDA’s activities, added that he would facilitate a NBRDA presentation during one of the Governors Forum meetings.
He identified other areas of collaboration to include enhancing soil fertility and training of extension workers.
Other areas of interest, he said, were fishery, livestock production, clean energy and biogas.
Earlier, Mustapha, the NBRDA D-G, led the governor through a presentation on operations of the agency.
Mustapha said the agency has four strategic departments including agricultural biotechnology, industrial, environmental and medical.
He said it was unfortunate that agriculture in the country had not delivered on expectations due to lack of quality seeds, pest and diseases, climate change and post- harvest losses.
He said that such problems hampered the growth of agriculture.
He explained that the agency had done a lot with focus on improving crop yield and soil resilience and enhancing soil fertility and management.
“We also offer climate smart agriculture,” he told Namadi. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Uche Anunne
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