The federal government has reaffirmed commitment towards enhancing agricultural production in the country.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Ernest Afolabi stated this during the official flag-off of Inputs Distribution to Farmers In ATASP-1 States of Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Niger and Sokoto at Bunkure Town, Bunkure LGA, Kano State.
Represented by Director Planning and Policy Coordination, malam Tanimu Ibrahim said The ceremony marks the commencement of this year’s delivery of subsidized inputs to about 60,000 farmers in the participating States.
He said the program was launched in March 2015 with the objective of improving food and nutrition security, attracting private-sector investment in agriculture, reducing post-harvest losses, adding value to local agricultural produce.
“Under the Commodity Value Chain Development component, the FGN through this Ministry has been supporting farmers with critical production inputs earlier identified and today’s event is one of those opportunities.”
Afolabi noted that in order to increase the level of transparency, accountability and efficiency in the input delivery process, the government this year approved the introduction and use of ICT platform for delivery of the Inputs to farmers, making this year’s program a very notable one.
In his remark, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State represented by his Deputy Alhaji Aminu Abdulsalam said the initiative was very timely.
He noted that the current administration in Kano was committed towards providing affordable avenues to farmers on how to access soft loan from credible financial institutions with the aim of enhancing food security.
Earlier, Chairman of all Farmers Association AFAN Kano Chapters, Alhaji Faruk Mudi assured the federal and state governments that farmers would judicious use of the inputs given to them.
The ceremony was graced by senior government officials and other stakeholders.
ABDULLAHI JALALUDDEEN
