Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago has flagged off the distribution of the Adaptation for Small holder Agriculture Programme (ASAP) grant, under the Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development/Value Chain Development Programme (FGN/IFAD/VCDP), supported by the United Nations.
The Governor, performed the flag-off ceremony and the graduation of youths trained on the fabrication of agricultural equipment in Minna.
Represented by his Deputy Comrade Yakubu Garba, Governor Bago noted that Niger State was among two states selected for the ASAP grant, which is an additional financing programme following the tremendous achievement of the FGN/IFAD/VCDP recorded in addressing challenges associated with the production, processing, and marketing of rice and cassava across nine local government areas.
He however described the intervention as timely and in line with the current administration’s desire to revolutionise agriculture in the state, stressing that the intervention will increase the capacity of smallholders to cope with the overwhelming effects of climate change and support the expansion of arable land through climate-resilient activities, among others.
Mohammed Umar Bago appreciated the Federal Government and the IFAD/VCDP for recognising the efforts of Niger state Government in the agricultural sector, while assuring that the State Government will sustain its prompt payment of its counterpart contributions, and appealed for the inclusion of more local government areas in the state.
The Governor congratulated beneficiaries of the ASAP grant and youths trained on the fabrication of agricultural equipment in the state for putting to good use the grant and starter packs to create jobs within their clusters, increase their livelihood, and provide services to farmers.
The National Programme Coordinator of VCDP, Dr Fatima Aliyu, said VCDP has made a remarkable impact in promoting youth entrepreneurship, empowering women, and mainstreaming climate-smart agriculture.
She explained that the ASAP grant is designed to strengthen the resilience of small holder farmers against the adverse impact of climate change with a target of 24,000 beneficiaries, out of which Niger State has 18,700 farmers, including women.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, who was represented by Mohammad Bashir Abdulkadir, said the distribution of the ASAP grant and the graduation of youth fabricators are strong indications that Nigeria’s agriculture sector has a future that is inclusive, climate-smart, youth-driven, and profitable as well.
In their separate goodwill messages, the representatives of NAMDA, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Minna-Green House, the Chairman of Edati Local Government, and the Executive Director of the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) applauded the initiative, saying it will bring about growth and development in the agricultural sector.
Starter packs were also distributed to 45 trained youth across nine local government areas in the state.
ALIYU LAWAL.
