Adamu Yusuf
The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers across Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kebbi and Ogun states, in a move aimed at boosting food production and strengthening national food security.
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Speaking at the flag-off in Kaduna State, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, said the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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He noted that the programme underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving sustainable food security and easing the cost-of-living pressures on Nigerians.
The Minister, who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Mr. Gukas Kizito Dankat, described food security as a critical national and global priority, as reflected in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
He said the current administration has introduced wide-ranging economic reforms, emergency responses and targeted interventions to address challenges affecting food production and availability.
Recalling the declaration of a state of emergency on food security in July 2023, the Minister said the administration has demonstrated strong political will to transform the agricultural sector by placing food security at the top of its agenda.
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He added that since assuming office in August 2023, the Ministry has realigned existing programmes and rolled out new initiatives to address farmers’ challenges and ensure that food remains available, accessible and affordable.
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According to him, the Ministry is working closely with state governments, non-governmental organisations and the private sector to foster synergy in tackling issues related to food security, economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction.
“As part of short-term support measures, the Ministry is distributing essential farm inputs and equipment at no cost to farmers through a transparent and accountable process,”
he said, adding that the initiative is designed to enhance productivity and support the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger.
Earlier, the Kaduna State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Anto Ambi Ogah, said the programme is part of the Federal Government’s policy to support smallholder farmers, cooperative societies and small and medium enterprises.
He urged farmers’ groups and stakeholders to work collectively towards achieving food security, especially in the face of climate change challenges affecting global food systems.
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Also speaking, the Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kaduna State Chapter, Alhaji Nuhu Aminu Numbu, alongside the Chairman of Farmers with Special Needs, Alhaji Abdullahi Jugnu, commended the Ministry for the intervention and assured that the inputs would be equitably distributed to members and effectively utilised.
Items distributed include power tillers, herbicides, liquid fertilisers, knapsack sprayers and water pumps to cooperative groups, commodity associations, farmers with special needs and internally displaced persons.