Federal Government has distributed free farm inputs to seventy-five cooperative societies in Kaduna State, benefiting about eight hundred farmers as part of efforts to strengthen food security across the country.
Director of Services in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Kaduna State Mr. Kizito Gukas, stated this at the rollout of the intervention in Kaduna.
He said the initiative was in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the declaration of a State of Emergency on food security aimed at boosting agricultural production and addressing the food crisis.
According to Mr. Gukas, the intervention targets small holder farmers through cooperative groups, farmers with special needs and Internally Displaced Persons to enhance productivity.
In a remark, the State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Kaduna, Mr. Anto Ambi Ogh, called on farmers and cooperative societies to maximise the use of the inputs to improve output.
Mr. Ogh said the programme reflected President Tinubu’s commitment to making food security a top priority, noting that the Ministry under Senator Abubakar Kyari is implementing several initiatives to boost agricultural productivity nationwide.
He further urged stakeholders to put hands on deck to achieve food security, especially in the face of climate change and other global challenges.
One of the beneficiaries who is the Chairman Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State Chapter, Mallam Muhammad Umar, commended Federal Government for the farm inputs describing it as a strong boost to small holder farmers.
He said his group benefited from herbicides, improved seedlings, water pumps including a solar powered and high powered pump, knapsack sprayers and organic fertilizer, noting that the support would enhance productivity and contribute to the achievement of food security.
Muhammad Umar, however, appealed to the government to strengthen security in farming communities, provide stable markets for farm produce and reduce the high cost of inputs to enable farmers operate effectively and meet the nation’s food demands.
Radio Nigeria report that Items distributed include power tillers, herbicides, liquid fertilizers, knapsack sprayers, water pumps among others
Teddy Daniel
