Gombe to expend #2.5bn for agriculture in 2014

Gombe State government will spend N2.5 billion
on agricultural development in 2014, Gov.
Ibrahim Dankwambo has said.
Dankwambo, who announced this while
presenting the 2014 budget proposal of N107.4
billion at the State House of Assembly, said the
move was aimed at boosting food production,
employment and income generation.
"Being the mainstay of our economy, agriculture
provides employment to over 70 per cent of our
people.
"It is the vision of this administration to evolve an
agricultural sector that promotes mechanised
farming and supports the small-holder farmers,
to produce enough to feed themselves, ... to earn
income."
He said that N193 million would be expended on
livestock production, N20 million on fisheries and
N9 million on the development of forestry in the
fiscal year.
Dankwambo noted that the government bought
and distributed 40,450 metric tonnes of fertiliser
and 220 new tractors to farmers in 2013.
Similarly, the government distributed 65 metric
tonnes of improved maize seeds to farmers,
while 46 cotton markets were constructed across
the state, in the bid to restore the glory of cotton-
farming in the state.
The governor said that the government
supported flood victims and dry season farmers
with 12,000 bags of fertiliser, 500 units of water
pumps, and free land preparation. He also said
his administration gave ploughs and N100,000
cash each to 1,140 farmers and trained 200
women in poultry farming.
Dankwambo announced plans by the
government to establish an agricultural
commodity exchange centre and warehouses, to
grade agricultural products.
"The programme shall guarantee good farm-
grade prices, and reduce post-harvest losses.