Maize Farm
BY Monsur Olowoopejo
…As Fashola inaugurate 60 air-conditioned meat vans, co-operative college
THE Federal Government has approved N330 million grants to assist 20,000 farmers in Lagos State, a measure geared towards increasing food production in the country.
Meanwhile, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has inaugurated the first co-operative college and 60 refrigerated meat vans to convey wholesome meat from abattoirs to different areas in the state.
Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Adewunmi Adeshina who disclosed this at the flag-off of the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme, GESS, said the fund would be devoted to acquire fertilizers for the farmers.
Adeshina added that the fund would cover 50 per cent of the cost that would be spent by farmers on fertilizer in the state.
He explained that the cost of fertilizer and seed valued at N36,000 would be given to farmers with the farmer paying N18,000.
He said: “This year also, in effort to encourage farmers to use improve seeds, all seeds will be supported by the Federal Government by 100 per cent.”
“128,000 bundles of improved planting materials of cassava will be supplied this year and it will commence this month.”
He noted that this is geared towards increasing the cassava production in the country, as the country aims to reduce importation of wheat.
On the 60 air-conditioned vans, Fashola said the 60 refrigerated meat vans were being launched to replace the rickety vans that would be phased out in the next one year.
According to him, “all illegal slaughter slabs at Coker, Matori, Itire and the Military Barracks will be closed down. These closed slabs would be replaced with mechanized abattoirs at Ologe in Badagry and Achakpo in Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA to complement the Oko-Oba Agege Abattoir where rehabilitation has commenced.
“These acts will ensure availability of wholesome meat to our citizens and prevent transmission of diseases from animal to man.”
On the Cooperative College, Fashola said the college would be the major driving force towards buoyant and viable cooperatives in the economy of the state.
“I am reliably informed that Lagos State has over 12,000 registered cooperative societies across the public and private sector of the economy and 36,000 trustees that would manage the societies with an asset base of over N40 billion and a membership of over two million citizens across social strata.”
Disclaimer
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.