Agriculture
C’River: Poor Network Hampers e-Wallet Fertilizer Distribution
The Coordinator of the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) in
Cross River State, Mrs Ada Edu, says that poor network is affecting e-Wallet
system of fertiliser distribution in the state.
Edu told our correspondent in Calabar that farmers in most
parts of the state were unable to receive text messages due to poor network
from telecom providers.
She also said that they were now using voucher cards to
ensure that farmers get their packages.
“The problem we have in Cross River with e-wallet system is
that network is very poor. Some of the farmers do not receive text messages on
their phones.
“But we have adopted the system of using voucher cards so
that in spite of the constraint in text messages, farmers can still get their
packages.
“With voucher cards those that their names are on the
register and could not receive text messages but can produce any form of
identification are given inputs,’’ she said.
She, however, said that some of the means of identification
included driving licence or voters’ registration card.
The coordinator further said that no fewer than 5,000
farmers had so far received their package, adding that Agro dealers had also
benefited the redemption centres across the state.
Edu explained that there were 37 redemption centres in the
18 Local Government Areas of the state with enough fertilisers.
According to her, the state received 25 trucks of fertiliser
from the distribution companies, adding that there were fertilisers in the 18
Local Government Areas.
Edu said that the farmers were excited over the present
arrangement that eliminated the middleman.
“Farmers are very excited when they receive text messages
telling them to come to so a place to collect their packages.
“A Bag of fertiliser that is sold for N6, 500 in the open
Market are given to them at the rate of N3, 000.’’
She further said that government also provides free crops
and seedlings, including maize, cocoa, rice and 15 bundles of cassava cutting
to each farmer.
She advised the farmers, who had not received their packages
to do so immediately so that they could begin early preparations for the 2013
farming season.
The coordinator, however, explained that the GES scheme was
not meant for farmers only and urged more people in the state to go into
farming to guarantee food sufficiency.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government’s
Agricultural Transformation Agenda abolished government direct sale of
fertiliser to farmers and introduced e-wallet system through fertiliser
distribution companies.
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”.
