Senator Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto-APC) has tasked Nigerians on the urgent need to focus more on farming activities and the establishment of industries for economic growth and national development.
He noted that agriculture remains key driver that comparatively guarantees sustained economic growth and sufficiency in food production.
He said: “Massive production of food can best be achieved through real investment in technologies and establishment of relevant industries.”
Wamakko made the call at the weekend in Sokoto during a personal visit to an indigenous Rice processing mill, K.K. Technologies established by a Sokoto-based businessman, Alhaji Kabiru Mu’azu Jodi.
The lawmaker, who represents Sokoto North Senatorial District, noted that embracing and focusing on agriculture and the establishment of industries would enhance and boost productivity and value addition to the economy for sustained development. Wamakko, who the Senate committee chairman on local and foreign debts, also observed that Nigeria needed more commitment to drive and reposition the agricultural sector for massive food production and security.
He noted: “We have the population manpower, soil fertility as well the capacity to achieve sustained economic growth using modern technologies for the desired results”, he pointed out while acknowledging the singular efforts of Alhaji Jodi as impressive and encouraging towards boosting the economy of the state.
He urged more of such commitment by other Nigerians to make the country economically better by engaging in more farming activities.
The senator added: “It will help boost the economy, create jobs, curb insecurity as well reduce poverty and encourage self reliance as a productive nation”, Wamakko stressed while assuring that the state government would patronise the company as encouragement for potential individuals to invest in similar venture.
Earlier, Alhaji Jodi told the senator that the industry which began production at 8,000 tonnes daily capacity, was established in 2015.
“Today, we have made appreciable progress of producing 500,000 tonnes per day using modern technologies.
“With the modern equipments for ease of production, we are now cultivating paddy Rice as against the past when we had to travel far to get processing materials. All these, are the product of your fatherly advise.”
He, however, said the company currently has paddy Rice improved seedling that can produce 12,000 tonnes for harvest while disclosing that the industry was into collaboration drive with relevant federal government agencies as measure to ensure healthy, hygienic and quality production for human consumption were achieved.
Alhaji Jodi, who highlighted cost of materials and transportation among others as major challenges needing urgent government intervention at all levels, also use the opportunity to take the senator round the company for facilities inspection and operation where Wamakko urged him and the management to maintain the tempo for prosperity.
THE NATION
