The Taraba State Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security, Professor Nicholas Namessan Oliver, has announced that the soon-to-be-launched Special Agriculture Processing Zone in the state will significantly enhance food security.
He announced this in a statement made available to journalists over the weekend in Jalingo while outlining the agricultural achievements of Governor Agbu Kefas.
The new project, according to him, will not only secure food production but also drive the state revenue growth and contribute to infrastructural development, including the construction of roads and other vital amenities for the benefit of the people.
In preparation for the launch, the ministry, he said, is working to acquire 20,000 hectares of land dedicated to dry-season rice farming, adding that efforts are underway to revitalise the flour mill in Wukari council.
He also revealed that agricultural extension services, which provide farmers with essential knowledge on mechanised farming, are set to be revived.
He said the initiative is geared towards helping farmers improve crop yields by maximising the use of modern farming techniques.
He further disclosed that Governor Kefas has procured 850 mini and compact tractors to support these efforts. The tractors, according to him, have already been distributed across the state, including the two special development areas, while 250 youths have been trained to operate and maintain them.
He called on stakeholders to rally behind the governor’s agricultural policies, which he said will elevate the state to new heights in food production and economic development.