The Federal Government has pledged to render substantial assistance toward the success of the 2008 National Agricultural Show, being organized by the National Agricultural Foundation (NAFN) in collaboration with the All Nigeria Farmers Association (AFAN).

According to a press release signed by the Natioanl Co-ordinator of the show, Dr. Shettima Mustapha, the pledge for the federal assistance was given when the chairman of NAFN, former governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, led a delegation of the NAFN officials to a meeting with the minister of agriculture, Dr. Abba Sayyadi Ruma and top officials of the ministry in Abuja about a fort-night ago.

After discussions on all aspects of the impending 2008 National Agricultural Show, an undertaking was reached between the ministry and NAFN on the ways to make the shoe a success.

One of the things agreed at the meeting was the immediate setting up of a technical committee comprising officials from the ministry, the foundation, AFAN, and the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), to co-ordinate the activities relating to the staging of the 2008 show, as well as the celebration of the World Food Day to be held on October 16, 2008.

The 2008 show is being organized by NAFN in collaboration with AFAN and the support of the federal ministries of agriculture and commerce and industry, the Nasarawa State Government, other state government, some international development partners and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

The Nasarawa State Government has been particularly supportive in ensuring the success of the Show. It would be recalled that during the first show in May 2007, the state government donated a 23-hectare plot of land to serve as the permanent site of the show, and provided funds for building the initial infrastructure and staging of the Show. It was also given substantial financial assistance for the preparation of the 2008 show.

The 2008 show, the second of its type, is schedule to hold between October 11 and 16, at the Show’s permanent site in Tudun Wada, Karu Local Government Area, at kilometer 28, along Abuja-Keffi Express Road. The first show in May 2007, inaugurated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, took place at the same venue.