Agric Development: The Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two firms on agricultural development.

The two firms are: NIIMA Investment and a Chinese Agricultural firm, Cosgrove Technology Company Ltd.

Speaking after signing the MoU in Kano on Sunday, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Shehu Alhaji Musa said the essence of signing the tripartite agreement was to develop the agricultural potentials being adequately harnessed and exploited by the university for greater result.

He described agriculture as the mainstay of any promising developing economy all over the world.

He said based on the agreement, the university would provide the land needed for the successful take off of the project while the Chinese firm was expected to provide the Technical support with NIIMA Investment actively involved.

“The initiative was conceived to serve as a launch-pad for revenue generation drive for the university.

He explained that areas expected to cover by the tripartite agreement include rice production, animal husbandry, sugar cane production and fisheries, among others.

He said the marketing aspect of the agreement would be taken seriously in order to ensure that both parties had a fair share of the deal.

He disclosed that 100 dollars had been projected to be sunk into the high profile project in view of the pressing need for sustainable agricultural development.

“With the commitment and sacrifice, achieving the goal will never be difficult, “ the Vice-Chancellor said.

According to him, the University had been enjoying the consistent support of the state government on initiatives aimed at propelling the institution to greater heights.

He assured the Chinese firm that it is in safe hand as far as fulfilling its obligation was concerned as the two firms were equally expected to live up to expectations.

In their separate remarks, the Managing Directors of NIIMA Investment, Alhaji Ibrahim Atana and Cosgrove Technology Company, Mr. Lao Luo, expressed their commitment toward implementing the agreement with seriousness. (NAN)

Kebbi: 10,000 Farmers Targeted For Inputs, Training

Ten thousand smallholder farmers in Kebbi have been targeted to benefit from a package of agricultural inputs such as fertilizer, seeds,agro chemicals , training and financial support as loan in order to improve productivity.

The scheme tagged “ AGRIBOOSTER “ was launched on Thursday in Kalgo local government area of Kebbi state anchored by Office Cherifien des Phosphate (OCP),one of the world largest phosphate fertilizer company based in Morocco in collaboration with AFEX , OXFAM , LAPO who will provide accessible market for the produce, training to the farmers and financial loan to the farmers respectively.

Other partners Syngenta Nigeria Limited and Global Fertile Fields Limited (GFFL). In his speech at the launching of the program, Mr. Caleb Usoh, the country manager of OCP in Nigeria said the OCP Agribooster offer is an inclusive end to end value chain solution that brings together actors that influence the conditions necessary for the perennial increase of farmers yields and revenues.

He said also that 4000 smallholder rice farmers in Suru, Argungu, Birnin Kebbi communities of Kebbi have been targeted for Dry Season rice farming for support.

According to him , after taking the package , farmers will repay back with their yields at harvest . “ We are targeting 50,000 farmers in 5 states , Kaduna,Jigawa,Katsina,Niger and Kebbi in 2018 dedicated to transforming Nigerian smallholder farming enterprises to to a modern,more productive and sustainable model,” he said.

The programme manager, Kebbi Agricultural Development Authority (KARDA) , Sanusi Illo who represented the commissioner of Agriculture , expressed gratitude for the program.

He also expressed optimism that the program which includes training will be an added impetus to the President’s economic diversification agenda while advising farmers to be honest in paying back their loans for others to benefit.