Muhammad Garba
In an effort to make Nigeria a leading country on Gum-Arabic production globally federal government has trained hundreds of Jigawa state farmers on modern techniques of Gum-Arabic production.
Speaking at the opening session of the training held at Manpower Development Institute, Dutse, the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono said government is all out to support farmers to improve their production.
According to him, for the country to achieve self-reliance in terms of food production and other cash crops for export, it must enhance the skills and financial capability of farmers as well as encourage the adoption of modern farming techniques.
The Minister who was represented by Deputy Director, Tree Crops of the Ministry, Mr Ukattah Bernerd, explained that, federal government has chosen three states for supporting Gum-Arabic production namely Jigawa, Yobe and Borno state.
According to him, Gum- Arabic is one of the tree crops Nigeria exported to foreign countries and if supported it would earn more foreign exchange to the nation and create jobs for country teeming youth.
He said, the training was organized to keep the gum Arabic farmers abreast on the modern farming techniques to increase their outputs and produce in a competitive price
“The training will sensitize farmers on modern production and distribution of gum Arabic including seedlings, storage bags, tapping knife refurbished and equipped testing laboratory.
“Other areas include gum Arabic crusher, gum Arabic colour sorter converter, gum Arabic bag closer, gum Arabic vacuum sealant and digital moisture meter,” the minister declared.
Also speaking, the Director of Agriculture, Mrs K.I Babangida said, federal government has made various efforts to provide Gum Arabic farmers with improve Gum Arabic seedlings, fertilizers, herbicides tapping knives, hammer mill with cyclone among others in view to improve its productivity.
He then assured federal government’s effort to make Nigeria number one in gum Arabic production in the world, and urged the participants to extend the skills acquired during the workshop to other farmers at grassroots.
