Writing by ALI MUHAMMAD RABIU; Editing by BASIRAT MEMUDU
The federal government has commenced the distribution of free farm input to farmers in Kwara state for all year round farming to stimulate agricultural production and ensure food security in the country.
Speaking at the flag off of the distribution of the farm inputs in Ilorin themed “Inputs distribution for all year Round Farming” the minister of Agriculture and food security, Senator Abubakar Kyari said the ministry is committed to ensuring that all sectoral programmes and initiatives of Government in the sector are completely aligned to actualizing the Presidential priority.
Represented by the Deputy Director Monitoring and Evaluation, federal ministry of Agriculture and food security, Abdulmalik Abdulganiyu, the minister said the Federal and State governments would be continually engage towards addressing all issues affecting national food security objectives.
According to him, the ministry would remain committed to promoting and creating synergies with Non-Governmental Organizations and the private sector to enhance efforts at ensuring food security, economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction.
He explained that the Ministry has considered the implementation of short term plans and support mechanisms to make essential farm inputs more affordable and accessible to farmers through a transparent and accountable process.
Senator Kyari maintained that the federal government concern is the facilitation of agro-inputs and basic farm machinery to small-scale farmers, who are constrained by the high market cost of these essential inputs.
He said that the Ministry is distributing Power Tillers, Herbicides, Liquid Fertilizers, Knapsack Sprayers, Water Pumps, among other inputs to farmers through Commodity Associations, Cooperative Groups, Farmers with Special Needs and IDPs.
The minister said the goal is to support farmers and boost food production in the country.
He noted that it is the resolve of the present Administration to attain the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals,especially that of zero hunger while also mitigating the food crisis in the country.
Senator Kyari urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the inputs to produce more food for the nation.
In his address, Kwara state commissioner for Agriculture and Rural development, Dr Afees Abolore said the programme is coming at a time the state government is distributing about 6000 fertilizer to farmers.
He said the state government will continue to collaborate with the federal government to assist farmers in the state.
The commissioner said the initiative will help in making food available and affordable to the populace.
In her remarks, the Managing Director Kwara state Agricultural Development Project(ADP) Dr. Ahmed Khadijat thanked the federal government for investing in farmers.
She said the extension outfit in the state is working perfectly to ensure proper implementation of all government projects.
For her part, the Kwara state coordinator, federal ministry of Agriculture and food security, Mrs Faith Agu said the programme is meant to support farmers in the state.
She said the federal government will continue to assist farmers to enable them break even in the farming business.
Some farmers in Kwara state who benefited from the federal government free farm inputs intervention, Alhaji Mukaila Salaudeen and Hajiya Aishat Oyebanji thanked the federal government for the input support to farmers.
They also urged government to ensure that the input is increased to reach more farmers in the rural areas.