Delta partners Bank of Agric to boost revenue, employment

THE Bank of Agriculture (BOA) and the Delta State Government are to partner to boost agricultural produce, enhance the state economy and create employment opportunities.Managing Director of Bank of Agriculture, Dr Mohammed Santuraki disclosed this Wednesday in Asaba after a meeting with the state Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan.Santuraki who described Governor Uduaghan as one who is committed to boosting the food security of the country, stated that the partnership is necessary.

He said that the bank desires to partner with the Delta State Government because of the laudable programmes of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in the agricultural sector.

“Governor Uduaghan’s vision of Delta beyond oil is a very positive development because oil will not last forever”, Santuraki stated while fielding questions with journalists.

According to him, Uduaghan’s administration’s commitment to empower the people through agriculture deserves commendation, disclosing that the Bank of Agriculture has rolled out programmes to partner with the Delta State government in the agricultural sector.

He emphasised that the Bank will partner with the Delta State government in the areas of cassava production, stressing that the state is one of the largest producers of cassava in the country hence the need to partner with Delta.

Besides, he said that with the Federal Government’s commitment to include cassava as one of the substitutes of wheat due to the huge amount being spent on the importation of wheat, increasing the production of cassava has become very imperative.

Santuraki also, stated that apart from the area of cassava production, the Bank of Agriculture would also encourage farmers including women and cooperative societies to engage in the whole production chain from farming, processing and storage, saying: “we want to finance the whole value chain.”

Also, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Misan Ukubeyinje observed that partnering with the state government by the Bank of Agriculture would assist farmers, assuring: “we will take necessary steps to ensure that the partnership work.”

“We are collaborating in terms of capacity building and you know the bank has also been dealing with farmers in terms of funding”, the Commissioner said, noting that the partnership will also, give boost to the Youth Empowerment Through Agriculture (YETA) programme of Governor Uduaghan’s administration.