TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) to establish farm estates in 108 senatorial districts across the country.

The president also directed the establishment of fish villages “to engage” women and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Paul Ikonne, executive secretary of NALDA, announced the development at a press briefing after meeting with the president on Sunday.

He said the initiative is intended to create “the chain of exporting raw materials out of this country” and “address the issues between herders and farmers” in some states.

Ikonne added that Kogi has donated “700 hectares of land, which the first phase of that project will be commissioned this year”.

“In Kogi state, we have gotten a land donation from the governor of Kogi State for 700 hectares of land, which the first phase of that project will be commissioned this year. The clearing is about to commence, and we believe that the first phase of that project, which will engage over 4000 youths into the entire agricultural process, thereby creating employment and reducing herders/farmers clash,” the NALDA boss said.

“That farm in Kogi will go a long way in addressing the issues between herders/farmers because we are going to cluster the herdsmen, provide them with pastures and the facilities they need like water and, and other facilities that will help to support their business in cattle rearing. Again, in Ogun State, we have finished land clearing, 100 hectares have been completely cleared, and the access road has been provided in that place, and that farm will take in 2500 youths.

“Not only in these two states that I mentioned, but we are also in Abia State where we are putting up the fish village to engage women again in fish production and packaging and all our farm estates, a finished product is our target so that Nigeria will cut the chain of exporting raw materials out of this country and at the same time you buy them because most of the agricultural produce is purely raw materials, like ginger, garlic, onions and all that, they export it, and then the process and come back.”