Posted by Monday Onyeme, Delta State’s Deputy Governor, has explained why the state is putting money into farming.
He stated that the administration wants the state to be the food basket of the country because agriculture is a major employer.
Onyeme made the disclosure when members of the Coalition of Delta State Farmers, led by Mr Loveday Takim and the state chapter of the Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria, led by Chief Eric Tomfawei, paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Asaba.
“Our administration is paying serious attention to agriculture because the agricultural sector provides the largest source of employment for Deltans; it is the largest industry and the most sustainable business that can take Nigeria out of extreme poverty,” he explained.
Instead of trying to compete with industrialized countries in the area of technology, the deputy governor suggested that Nigeria instead focus on expanding its agricultural industry.
He remarked, “We cannot compete with the technologically advanced nations of the world. However, God has blessed us with good soil and abundant landmass, so we could improve our agricultural industry and conveniently compete with them in that area.”
God has blessed us with good land for agriculture; even our seeds and water are good for production; all that we need is here; let us start to face reality: if we don’t develop our agriculture, we can’t go anywhere as a nation. We can’t compete with the Western world on information and communication technology because they will always be steps ahead of us and we will always be trying to catch up.
In addition, he said, “Our administration will do its best to ensure that we advance agriculture in Delta State and make the state a focal point of reference within the federation.”