Bauchi Head of Service Assures Govt's Support as He Launches Farmers' Manifesto

By Muslim Lawal

Bauchi State Head of Civil Service (HoS), Adamu Yahuza Haruna Ningi has launched an influencing strategy, farmers manifesto and commitment pledge initiated by the Association of Small- Scale Agro Producers In Nigeria, Bauchi branch.

At the launching ceremony in Bauchi, the Head of Service applauded the association for coming up with the strategy and assured of the state government's support in order to achieve the desired objectives. 

Yahuza Adamu pledged his determination as the head of civil service in the state to support the influencer struggle in driving development projects to their communities for the benefit of citizenry and charged the influencers to focus more attention on the budget processes of their local governments to ensure that priority needs of their communities are captured in the budget.

"I welcome this initiative by the Association of small – scale farmers of Nigeria, Bauchi State branch, Bauchi State Government will support the initiative for its full implementation. I assure you that I will be in the forefront of the struggle whenever it need arises.

The Executive Director of the association, Amina Bala Jibrin at the occasion urged government at all levels to prioritise participatory and transparent sectoral budget process for accountability and good governance for the small – scale farmers in the country.

According to her, in view of the persistent poor access by many small- scale farmers to the various funds for agricultural development in the country, there is need for the state governments to earmark at least 60 per cent of the agricultural investments in budgets as well as in any intervention facility created for small – scale farmers and small scale agriculture.

"Agriculture is the largest employer of labour in the country that deserved better funding to attract more investors so as to create employment and ensure food security. Over 70 per cent of Nigerians are engaged in agriculture and many of them don’t even have access to fertilisers and labour – saving equipment. The small – scale farmers are more vulnerable.

“In the light of this and in view of the continuous nose –diving nature of budgetary allocations to the agricultural sector in the past few years, there should be visible efforts at increasing allocation to the sector in line with the Maputo/ Malabo commitments.”

While also calling on governments at all levels to construct more rural infrastructure, especially roads from farming communities to markets to ease access to farm produce, Jibrin said Agriculture Extension Services delivery should be reformed to reduce the wide extension – farmer ratio and facilitate access to extension agent contact by farmer.