Determined to improve food production in the state, the Enugu State Government said the sum of 1,620,000,000 has been earmarked to improve agricultural activities in the state in the 2021 approved budget.
JOURNALIST101 recalls that on 30th December, 2020, Governor Ugwuanyi signed the budget christened ‘Budget of Recovery and Continued Growth’ as passed into law by the State House of Assembly. The Budget size is N169,845,750,500 in which N101,134,758,500 is for capital expenditure, while the sum of N68,711,000,000 was budgeted for recurrent expenditure.
Briefing newsmen on Thursday, 14th January, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, David Okelue Ugwunta, PhD, said the state intends to strategically enhance recovery of the state from the drawbacks of 2020 and further consolidate on the foundation already laid in creating an environment that encourages natural, social and infrastructural development in line with the current eight-point agenda of the state government.
Dr. Ugwunta said in the efforts of the state to enhance agricultural activity, N150m was allocated for intervention in Agricultural productivity in the state and N220m for establishment of a cottage rice mill.
Also, the Commissioner said N100m was allocated for youth agribusiness empowerment program with start up packs for youth engagement in agro entrepreneurship and establishment of youth agribusiness outlets at Enugu, Garriki, 9th Mile, Obollo Afor, Nsukka, Udi and four Corner as hub for sales of youth Agro products.
Continuing, Dr. Ugwunta disclosed N100m will be spent for the purchase of tractors and agriculture equipment to aid mechanized farming in the state and N650m for the establishment of fertilizer processing plant.
While, N300m has been earmarked for establishment of 3 mordern abattoirs across the state, upgrading of meat selling outlets in the 3 senatorial zones and N100m for agricultural support to farmers in the state.
The commissioner said that the budget targets to maintain a capital expenditure to recurrent expenditure ratio of 60:40, adding that it also aims to have 100% cash-backing of all expenditure approvals among other targets.
