“If any farmer wants to use this first rain to plant, such farmer should ensure the storage of enough water to water their crops if the rain did not continue,”

AGRICULTURE used to be the mainstay of the Nigerian economy. But as oil revenue increased, successive governments out of lack of leadership vision ignored this economic multiplier until President Goodluck Jonathan made it a top priority of his government. Happily government’s agricultural programmes have recorded appreciable gains that can easily ensure self-sufficiency in food production and possibly economic stability in the face of dwindling oil price.

The demand for High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) for cassava bread is driving a 520% expansion in cassava processing in the country in the last three years. From just one medium-sized factory and three functional small High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) Mills, in 2011, there are today nine medium-sized mills, either fully functional or at advanced stages of planning, and 40 small HQCF mills.

Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Prof Atahiru Jega Saturday night postponed the general elections to March 28.

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The Goodluck Jonathan administration has in the four years been in power.

Those who have keyed into the policy are allowed to enjoy 10% tariff and 20% levy on imported rice, while on the other hand mere rice traders are allowed to import at 10% tariff and 60% levy.

Federal Government has been urged to protect genuine poultry farmers from going under as their products are now constantly adulterated leading to lost of millions of naira in revenue earnings.