FG to distribute 10 million mobile phones worth N60 Billion to rural farmers

Mrs. Ibukun Odusote

As part of its efforts to revive the agricultural sector, the Federal Government is set to distribute 10 million mobile phones worth about N60 billion from China and the US for free distribution to rural farmers across the country by the end of March.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, disclosed this on Tuesday during a sensitization programme held in Igan Ipabi town for rural farmers in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.Stating that the  fund for the project has been set aside by the President Goodluck Jonathan.
Odusote also said that farmers would get 50 percent subsidy on fertilizer and other necessary assistance from the government.
She said:

"As part of the e-wallet, that is electronic which we are promoting, the handsets would be the tool with which we would communicate with farmers in the rural areas. Deep into the interiors, we would be able to communicate with them.

"We are looking at a complete value chain concerning this matter. And the emphasis is on women and youths so that the ageing population of farmers can actually rest and then the younger generation that understand what we are talking about in terms of electronic system will be able to come alive and take over farming in Nigeria."

Really? N60 billion?Is mobile phone the problem in the agricultural sector? so I'm guessing since they want to communicate with the farmers directly ...Are they going to preload the President's number in all the phones? As the reason for the purchase is because they want the farmers to have direct contact with the Government.