Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State

Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has urged the citizens of the state to engage in dry season farming.

The governor made the call on Tuesday in Makurdi while launching the unified standard weights and measures which would be used in all markets across the state.

Ortom said that research had revealed that dry season farming was more profitable than wet season farming.

He said that people should embrace dry season farming to boost their income and wellbeing.

He pledged that his administration would continue to provide the enabling environment and support for agricultural production in Benue so as to boost food security in the state.

The governor said that the unified standard weights and measures were introduced in the state in order to help farmers and buyers to get good value for their products and money respectively.

He said that the unified standard weights and measures were initiated to protect the interests of farmers and consumers.

He pledged that the government monitor and ensure its full compliance.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Tersoo Kpelai, assured the people that the ministry would resist any plot to thwart its efforts to sanitise the markets.

Besides, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Benue, Mr James Anbua, lamented that some farmers were selling the farm inputs they got through the Anchor Borrower Programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Anbua, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agribusiness, Mr Simon Abua, warned such farmers to desist from such unwholesome activities.

In a remark, Assemblyman Richard Ujege, the Chairman, Benue Assembly Committee on Industry, Trade and Investment, lauded the government for the introduction of the unified weights and measures.

He said that the new policy would curb the traders’ sharp practices and sanitise the markets.

(NAN)