The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N2.4 billion for the procurement of seeds for various crops to boost agriculture production in the country.Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Mustapha Shehuri, said this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of weekly FEC meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.“The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development presented two memos. First was a memo seeking approval for the award of contracts to agricultural institutes and research agencies for the production and distribution of seeds and seedling to farmers.“This is at the cost of N2, 164, 702, 006.78. The approval, which was given, will now help our research institutes to produce seeds for farmers, to aid next year’s farming season.” The Minister also disclosed that the council approved over one billion naira for the purchase of soil test kits for use by“The second memo was for an approval for the award of contract for the purchase of 1014 soil test kits and soil laboratory analytical equipment for the National Institute of Soil Science at the coat of N278, 008, 581.63,” he said.
