The government and people of Niger State are working to flag off an intense campaign for the mass cultivation of Jathropha trees in the region. To this end, the state government has set up a five-man committee of commissioners to advise government on the role to play in the regional workshop scheduled for Minna, next month.

Governor of Niger State, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, who set up the committee, directed the panel to mobilize farmers in the state to go into mass cultivation of the plant because of its economic value. He said that establishment of a Jatropha refinery in Northern Nigeria would be the answer to the region’s economic problems because the refinery will be able to produce diesel while its by-products would also fetch for the region unlimited funds.



The planning committee took time out to pay a sensitization visit to Emir of Minna Dr Umar Farouq and that of Suleja Malam Awal Ibrahim. The two monarchs assured the committee that their emirates will join in the mass cultivation of the plant. Dr Umar Farouq Bahago directed all the districts and village heads in the emirate to cultivate at least one hectare of the plant while Malam Awal Ibrahim pledged a minimum of ten hectares. They also said they will sponsor some farmers in the emirates to workshop so that they would not be left behind.

Read the full article + photos here: http://agronigeria.com.ng/2014/07/31/niger-state-govt-traditional-rulers-support-mass-cultivation-jathropha/

Source: http://www.agronigeria.com.ng