The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has explained the purpose of the N13 billion intervention fund approved for pest control across 12 frontline Northern states in Nigeria. The states to be covered under the funds are: Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe and Borno.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Mohammed Sabo Nanono, last Friday announced the approval of the fund during a flag-off ceremony for the 2020 dry season trans-boundary migratory pest control. Speaking during the ceremony held at the Birnin Kebbi International Airport in Kebbi State, Nanono had noted that the intervention fund will help to control the transboundary flow of pests such as quelea birds, locusts and grasshoppers. It will also help Nigeria to ensure uninterrupted agricultural activities during the 2020 farming season, and to minimize the impact of the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the minister added.

However, there have been worries from some quarters over the details of the pest control fund considering the cost. Giving a breakdown of the approved fund, Technical Adviser on Knowledge Management and Communication to Nanono, Barr. Richard Mark-Mbaram, noted that pest control was beyond spraying of chemicals. Mbaram explained that the fund will cover the cost of refurbishment of old equipment and purchasing of new ones, procurement of chemicals, and the deployment of personnel.

The fund will also cover the setting up of a mechanism for early warning systems, as well as cover the costs for research into biotechnological and more environmentally-friendly approaches to pest control. Speaking during the ceremony last Friday, Nanono had pointed out that pest control became important following reports of desert locust outbreak in East Africa and the Middle East, with the possibility of a spillover into West Africa, including Nigeria.

The Agric Minister noted that the fund will help Nigeria ensure uninterrupted food supply in the country by protecting crop production. He further submitted that President Muhammadu Buhari “is very determined to fight any menace that would truncate the tremendous success recorded so far especially in the Agricultural sector.”

“The choice of Kebbi State for the flag-off is deliberate in view of the extensive agricultural activities in the state and the immense cooperation and collaboration of the state government in the implementation of agricultural interventions over the years,” the minister added.

Nanono also lauded the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and other governors of the front-line States for their collaboration and cooperation with the ministry towards reducing the effect of migratory pests across the states.

In his remarks, Bagudu commended Buhari for his vision and people-orientated policies in the agriculture sector.

The governor said that the president’s commitment towards the sector will help to ensure job creation, increase food security and boost the economy for the good of Nigerians.

SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA