By Sunday Iduh
Governor Samuel Ortom has reiterated the commitment of the Benue State government to take agriculture to greater heights.
He made this known Monday at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi when a delegation from the International Fund Agricultural Development (IFAD), led by the International Co-ordinator, Samuel Eremie paid him a courtesy call.
The governor, who welcomed the delegation to the state, said his administration was committed to the development of the state, despite the numerous challenges.
Governor Ortom, who commended IFAD for supporting and standing with Benue State said: “Many crops that would have been unknown were brought to the knowledge of the people in the state. You have provided adequate knowledge on agriculture to the people of the state
“You have helped the state to improve on their local ways of farming. The government is committed to taking agriculture to greater level.”
Governor Ortom explained that the entire programme was meant to ensure food security for the people of the state. “What we learnt from IFAD, we have translated to our local farmers and they are already better off,” he stated.
He called on IFAD to further support the people with improved cassava seedlings, while assuring them of the commitment of the state government to the success of their activities in the state.
The governor directed the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kester Kenge to expand IFAD activities to other local government areas in the state and work out modalities for the state to meet the obligation to IFAD.
Earlier, in a remark, Eremie commiserated with the government and people of Benue State on the loss of lives due to conflicts and the losses that occurred during the recent flood disaster.
Eremie explained that they were in the state for mid-term review of IFAD activities from 2019 to 2022, stating that the focus was for additional financing.
He commended the governor for the remarkable support to IFAD and sought for further assistance from the state government in the area of counterpart funding.