The Council of States Thursday endorsed $1 billion from the current $200 million to boost agriculture and empower livestock farmers including the Fulani herdsmen.
The Council also recommended inter-state security joint operations to flush out bandits, especially those operating from the forests.
Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State, alongside Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and Willy Obiano of Anambra State, stated this while briefing State House correspondents after a six-hour Council of States meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The financial assistance to cattle farmers, they said, was not designed to support the rich livestock producers but movement of the existing herdsmen causing problems and incessant clashes with farmers.
The fund will be disbursed through the Anchor Borrower and Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme, CACS programmes, to encourage diversification of the economy and promote food security.
Ibikunle Amosun, the Ogun State governor, said Council deliberated extensively on how to diversify the economy, efforts being made to pull Nigeria out of doldrums, efforts that had been made to move Nigeria out of recession and the progress being made.
Amosun said the council commended efforts being made to revive the economy, especially how Nigeria moved from monolithic economy to a diversified one, advising that agriculture funding should be improved from $200 million to $1 billion.
He said: “Council advised that we improve on the funding on agriculture. That the paltry sum of $200 million when compared to what is being pumped into the oil sector is insignificant.
“Council recommended that at least about $1 billion be pumped into agriculture. It noted how Nigeria moved the budget from about N4 trillion to about N8 trillion . It also noted that when this President came in, the oil price had nose dived from $112 in 2014 to $30 in 2016.
“Council also appreciated the efforts of the ministers of agriculture and budget and national planning after their briefings, on the efforts they are giving to Mr. President and agreed they should continue in what they are doing.”
Briefing on security, Abubakar Badaru, the Jigawa State governor, said Council was briefed by the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Mungonu.
Badaru said: “On the security situation in the country, we received a very long brief.from the National Security Adviser, ranging from farmers/herdsmen clashes, Boko Haram, militancy in the Niger Delta, kidnapping and cattle rustling.”
He said after deliberations, a lot of suggestions came forward, adding that “farmers/herdsmen clashes were discussed thoroughly and we learnt that this takes three dimensions.”
