Plans are underway by Niger state government to allocate certain amount of money in next year’s budet provision to support campaign for the production of vitamin A maize by farmers in ten local government councils of the state.
Commissioner for Investment Commerce and Industries Dr Mustapha Jibrin stated this at the end of a stakeholders round table engagement on the promotion and consumption of vitamin A maize held in Minna.
Represented by his Permanent Secretary Alh Baba Wachiko Yahaya the Commissioner explained that already the budget process is on and that members of Niger state House of Assembly will hopefully lend their support during budget defence to ensure success of this great initiative.
This is because according to him some members of the Niger state House of Assembly are fully aware of the campaign targeted at creating additional income for both farmers development partners Niger state government and Nigeria at large.
Dr Mustapha Jibrin further said ten local government councils in Niger state are expected to benefit from the pilot project that would have a multiplier effect if properly harnessed.
He said their target audience for the campaign to scale up vitamin A maize production in Niger state are women and youths to become self reliant.
Project Manager Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition GAIN Nigeria Mr Ijudai Jasada maintained that the project is implemented in eighty local government councils of eight states in Nigeria.
Mr Ijudai Jasada however added that the project is also aimed at improving the nutritional output of rural dwellers.
Cov/ Aliyu Lawal Minna
