El-Rufai, Emir of Zazzau Emirate Urge Buhari to Re-establish Marketing Board
The Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai, and the Emir of Zazzau Emirate, Alhaji. Shehu Idris, have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to re-establish the defunct Produce Marketing Boards (PMB), in order to alleviate the problems of the citizens in food production.
According to a statement issued to THISDAY, the board will stabilise and encourage farmers and other agricultural investors, to embark on massive food production, address unemployment and commercialise farm products.
It also stated that for effective export drive and re-purchase there is need for the surplus accruing from such yields to be used in encouraging farmers through government purchase which would promote among the farmer economic advantage for them and also in the nation in order to avoid any eventual food scarcity or waste which might arise seasonally.
It would be recalled that the Kewalram Chanrai group with a history spanning a century is in diverse spectrum of business in Nigeria. The group has interest in products and services such as diverse as textiles, automobiles, and agriculture oil milling. Sunseed Nigeria Limited from Zaria is one of the companies under the Group, with various Agricultural activities and also engaged in Multi seed crushing including soya beans.
In his opening address at the event, the Deputy Managing Director, Chanrai/Kewalarams Group Limited, Elder Victor Eburajolo; Mr. Tarum, and Mr. Das, who represented the Group Chairman, extolled the sterling virtues of the state governor, whom they described as very amiable and hard working, with a desire to advance the cause of the people.
They also noted that the vibrant economic and political stability which he has created in the state has promoted peaceful-coexistence and an investment friendly atmosphere.
They lamented that some of the challenges militating against their dogged strides for the anticipated continued expansion of the conglomerate are unfortunate irregular power supply and its maintenance high cost, high rate of banking transaction, and logistics challenges.
The statement said Sunseed has revolutionised agriculture in the State by making farmers to grow crops at low inputs cost and much improved yields through World class innovative rural crop solutions techniques.
It also stated that Sunseed sustained its presence in Zaria for two decades seeing through all the turbulences, and transforming agriculture in the state with the creation of market for the farm produce, “sunseed is one of the major contributors to the state which produces one of the largest crops in maize and soya beans in the country.”
The statement added: “Sunseed is committed to the state and it has invested in Animal feed Mill as a natural extension to the oil mill business. It was inaugurated on 26, September. The feed mill is multi billion naira investment in Zaria next to its oil mill premises.
“The facility has a total area of 25 acres, will specialize in the manufacturing of different animal feed products which cover poultry, cattle and other livestock feeds. Installed capacity is 100 thousand metric tons per annum. Around 500 people will be employed in this new factory. 20,000 farming families benefit from the companies agricultural programmes.