The Delta State government has proposed N2 billion for the development of the agriculture sector in the 2021 fiscal year.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Julius Egbedi, made this known during the annual budget defence the ministry had with the State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture on Tuesday, in Asaba.

Giving a breakdown of the proposed figure, the commissioner disclosed that N300 million would be allocated for the development of cassava.

N205 million was proposed for the development of livestock in the state, while that of poultry was put at N100 million.

The allocation for piggery was N90 million, while small that of non-ruminant was N15 million, he explained.

The commissioner further disclosed that the ministry would be partnering with the Maize Association of Nigeria (MAN) to secure land for maize cultivation in the state.

He also explained that the sum of N80 million was proposed for the development of the sub-sector.

Egbedi also said that the Ministry proposed the sum of N100 million on value chain development with emphasis on palm oil processing.

According to him, the initiative would reduce the unemployment rate in the state, as it was projected to create no fewer than 150 jobs.

“This programme will help to open up primary and secondary forests for our farmers across the state on loan which will be paid back within four years and the essence of this loan is to cushion the effects of the financial involvement on the part of our farmers.

“We are proposing the sum of N93 million which will be used to open up 350 hectares of land for this programme,” he added.

SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA