Ogun agric ministry proposes N4.7bn for 2016

The Ministry of Agriculture in Ogun State has proposed the sum of N4,785 billion to pursue its programme in the2016 fiscal year. Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun, while defending the ministry’s budget before the House of Assembly said the figure was made up of N720,000,000 as recurrent expenditure and allowances of N650,000,000,while capital expenditure […]

The Ministry of Agriculture in Ogun State has proposed the sum of N4,785 billion to pursue its programme in the2016 fiscal year.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun, while defending the ministry’s budget before the House of Assembly said the figure was made up of N720,000,000 as recurrent expenditure and allowances of N650,000,000,while capital expenditure is put at N4,785,267,500 and N400,000,000 expected as revenue.
Sokefun said the objective of the ministry was to stimulate increase in the production of food through the cultivation of farmlands, raising of birds and facilitating adequate production and supply of raw materials to agro-based industries.
She added that the ministry intends to increase employment generation opportunities in agriculture through the development of small, medium and large scale farms and farming enterprises through Public Private Partnership initiative, amongst others.
“The ministry will in 2016 fiscal year continue its laudable programmes aimed at providing gainful employment to all categories of people, stimulate commercial agriculture and contribute to the economic profile of the state.
“We will also intensify the production of improved seeds and seedlings of cash and arable crops, improved livestock breeds and fish fingerlings for distribution to farmers at affordable prices,” the commissioner said.
Sokefun also listed projects to be embarked on such as establishment of standard semi-mechanized modern abattoir, purchase of additional land clearing and land preparation equipment, re-introduction of practical agriculture in secondary schools, training and empowerment programmes, agric show and trade fair, amongst others.
Speaking earlier, Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Akanbi Bankole, advised the ministry to improve on generating more revenue to the state.