The federal government has Reaffirmed it’s determination in inducing a combination of appropriate Agricultural techniques, aimed at generating economic Surplus in the Gum Arabic Sub-sector ,geared towards Enhancing Economic Growth .
The Permanent Secretary federal Ministry of Agriculture Mr Earnest Umakhihe disclosed this during the Opening Ceremony of a one day Stakeholders meeting on Gum Arabic Value Chain held in Kano.
The Permanent Secretary , Represented by Mr Bennett Ukatah said boosting Agriculture remains the priority of the Buharis Administration ,targeted at Enhancing Economic Growth, reducing poverty as well as diversifying the economy of the nation .
He said the aim of the meeting was to fine-tune modalities of improving the Gum Arabic Sub-sector, saying if the Motive was Achieved farmers income would be increased,alleviate poverty,provide raw materials for local industries and Stimulate the Overall Economic Growth of the Nation.
“As you are aware,the Gum Arabic Value Chain is Among the Agricultural Commodity being Promoted by the federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,the Main objectives is to increase the Area under Gum Arabic production of organized and unorganized Plantations “
In a remark the Director of Agriculture of the Ministry Mrs Kareema Babangida , Represented by Abdulkareem Durosin said the Ministry would continue to provide Enabling Environment for investors in the Gum Arabic Value Chain.
She noted that in an effort to ensure effective service Delivery in the Gum Arabic Value Chain the Ministry had Established Gum Arabic testing Laboratory for Quality Assurance in Goshua Yobe state,and a cottage Gum Arabic processing Center at Damaturu Yobe State.
“We are supporting the Gum Arabic Association with Tapping Knives , Storage bags,as well as Distribution of Seedlings to Gum Arabic Farmers”
In a remark Gum the Chairman Arabic Farmers Association of Nigeria Kano Chapter
Ali Ibrahim Aplauded federal government efforts in taking a bold step in boosting Gum Arabic Farming in the Country.
The meeting was attended by Gum Arabic Farmers from different parts of the country and other stakeholders.
Abdullahi jalaluddeen/Kano