By Adam Muhammad, Gusau
The Zamfara state Government has vow to sustain partnership with the USAID-funded project, “Policy Support for Economic Growth”, with a view to enhance agricultural production in the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Haruna Ya’u Gamji, made the pledge in Gusau on Tuesday when he received USAID-funded project officials who paid him a courtesy visit in his office Wednesday.
The commissioner described the visit as a welcome development, saying that it was in line with the present administration’s policy to enhance agriculture.
“You know in Zamfara, farming is our pride and about 90 percent of Zamfara people are farmers”.
He further hinted that agriculture is one of the top priorities in the agenda of Gov. Dauda Lawal’s administration.
He explained that Zamfara state government is ready to partner with USAID-funded project to develop farming activities in the state.
He assured that the State Government is committed to participate fully in the project, considering its significance on agricultural value chain and general economic growth of the state.
Earlier, the Leader of the delegation, Prof. Oyinkan Tasie, said the project aimed at encouraging agricultural policy process.
“The USAID is implementing this project in six states across the country, including Zamfara.
“We interact with stakeholders, we want to see how we can make women groups and people with disability, among others, more productive in agriculture,” Tasie said.
He also said that the delegation was interested in farmers challenges and how they could expand their access to market.
“We want to know more about farmers’ challenges of access to funds and storage.
“We want see that Zamfara agricultural products have access to the global market.