Agriculture
FG Distributes Agric Inputs To Niger Farmers
The Federal Government,
in collaboration with International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has commenced the distribution of farm inputs to 5,000 farmers in Niger State.
The Niger State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Aliyu Abdulahi, made this known in Bida, Bida Local Government Area, recently, while launching the distribution of inputs to farmers in the area.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Mohammadu Danlami, said that the inputs were distributed under FG/IFAD Value Chain Development (VCD) programme on rice and cassava.
Abdulahi said that the beneficiaries were rice and cassava farmers from Bida, Katcha, Wushishi, Kontagora and Shiroro local government areas of the state.
He promised that government would do everything possible to support the farmers in order to foster the fulfilment of the programme in the state.
Abdulahi lauded the farmers for embracing the programme, which was particularly aimed at boosting the cultivation of rice and cassava in the state.
Earlier, the State Programme Coordinator, Dr Mathew Ahmed, said that 500 rice farmers and 500 cassava farmers from each of the state’s local government areas would benefit from the programme.
He said that that each rice farmer would get six 50kg. bags of fertilizers per hectare of farmland, while each cassava farmer would get four 50kg. bags 50kg of NPK fertilizers per hectare of farmland.
He said that the actual cost of fertiliser was N7, 000 per bag, adding, however, that the farmer would pay N3, 900 per bag, while IFAD would pay the remaining balance of N3, 100 per bag.
Ahmed said that IFAD and farmers would share the cost of other farm inputs such as herbicides and improved seeds at the rate of 50 per cent each.
He said that IFAD had also supported the farmers by bankrolling 50 per cent of their land preparation costs.
The coordinator said that the methods of the inputs’ redemption included the e-wallet and mini-Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES).
Also speaking, Bagudu, Chairman, Bida Local Government Council, Alhaji Alfa urged the farmers not to sabotage the programme by diverting the farm inputs.
He advised more citizens to embrace agriculture in order to regenerate the nation’s agricultural sector.
Similarly, IFAD Agricultural Production Officer in the state, Mr Lawal Mohammed, urged the officials of the various farmers groups to be transparent and document their activities.
Besides, Hajiya Aishatu Dabarakotacin, a representative of cassava farmers, pledged that the farmers would utilise the inputs maximally.
She commended IFAD as well as the government at all levels for the programme and prayed for its success.
Federal Government and the Ogun State Government, on Wednesday, distributed farm inputs to farmers as part of effort to address food security challenge.
The State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Toyin Ayo-Ajayi, during the flag-off ceremony of Inputs Redemption Under The National Agricultural Growth Scheme-Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP), in Ogun State, disclosed that beneficiaries of the gesture were primarily rice, maize and cassava farmers across the State.
Ayo-Ajayi commended the Ogun State Government for partnering with the government at the centre for the effort in supporting farmers with inputs that would bring about yieldings for local consumption and likely exportation.
She noted that government is supporting rice, cassava and maize farmers with inputs worth N212,000; N189,000 and N186,000 respectively.
The Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye, who represented the Commissioner in the Ministry, Bolu Owotomo, stated that traditional farmers are critical in food production, hence the need to encourage and support them with inputs that would bring about desired results during harvesting.
Owotomo said: “Let us make good use of this opportunity, so that the success of this phase will make farmers benefit more from the state and federal governments of Nigeria.”
Earlier, State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Oluwatoyin Ayo-Ajayi, appreciated the present administration for partnering with the federal government for the initiative, adding that the programme is designed to support farmers at the grassroots level in cassava, rice and maize with inputs such as, seeds, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, to boost their production and enhance their livelihood.
The Niger State Government has mapped out 10,000 hectares of farmland in Gbapo Community of Katcha Local Government Area of the State for smallholder farmers to benefit from the state government’s agricultural intervention programme.
Two thousand out of the 10,000 holders of the farmlands have already received inputs.
At a flag-off ceremony in Yinti Village, the facilitator of the programme, Shinkafan Nupe, Malam Idris Usman Makanta, assured the farmers of increased distributions to the mapped-out ten thousand (10,000) farmlands if farmers respond positively.
He explained that the commencement of the two thousand is to measure the positive response of farmers before obtaining full-scale support.
Malam Makanta stated that this initiative aligns with the farmers’ initial commitment through Niger Foods, whose mission is primarily geared towards establishing efficient and profitable agricultural businesses to support the present administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s quest to boost agricultural productivity in the state.
He also commended Niger Foods for their steadfastness and resilience in the effective implementation of the input financing scheme.
Makanta reiterated the commitment of the State Governor in making judicious use of the arable land in the state.
Shinkafan Nupe, therefore, urged the farmers to support the Governor by using the inputs wisely so that the dream can be actualised.
The Gombe State Government has empowered a total of 573,429 farmers and entrepreneurs under the 4th phase of the GO-CARES programme.
The programme was officially flagged off by Governor Inuwa Yahaya in another major step towards alleviating poverty and supporting the state’s vulnerable populations.
The Governor, while inaugurating the disbursement in Akko Community of Akko Local Government Area, restated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of vulnerable citizens in the state.
He was represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Salihu Baba Alkali, who is also the Chairman of the Steering Committee on GO- CARES implementation.
“The 4th phase of GO-CARES will directly and indirectly impact a total of 573,429 citizens across the state. Of these, 152,429 individuals will benefit directly through cash transfers, livelihood grants, agricultural inputs, and operational grants to small businesses”, he stated.
The Governor added that, “421,000 people will be indirect beneficiaries through infrastructural projects such as classroom blocks, healthcare facilities, WASH services, and rural infrastructure projects like culverts and drainages”.
Yahaya, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the state’s most vulnerable citizens are not left behind in the state’s development.
According to him, “Earlier this year, on June 25, 2024, we flagged off the distribution of improved seedlings, fertilizers, and herbicides to less privileged farmers in Malam Sidi, Kwami Local Government Area, signaling the commencement of the 4th phase implementation of GO-CARES under Result Area 2”.
The Governor reiterated that these initiatives have had a significant impact on the livelihoods of beneficiaries and the overall agricultural sector.
He explained that, “Today’s ceremony marked the simultaneous launch of activities under all three GO-CARES Result Areas for the 4th phase. These areas include: State Cash Transfer Grants: 2,500 direct beneficiaries; Labour Intensive Public Works: 2,700 direct beneficiaries; Livelihood Grants: 10,000 direct beneficiaries; and Basic Services: 405,000 indirect beneficiaries”.
