The Federal Government on Thursday inaugurated the distribution of free agricultural inputs worth millions of naira to farmers in Zamfara State as part of President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to boost food production nationwide.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, while presenting the items to farmers in Gusau, said the initiative was aimed at increasing food production and mitigating the current food crisis.
Kyari, who was represented by the Director of Mechanization in the ministry, Mr. Sule Majeed, said the gesture was also designed to support small-scale farmers in Zamfara with vital inputs and agricultural equipment.
“This is part of the Federal Government’s effort towards addressing the underlying challenges hindering the attainment of national food security goals,” he noted.
The minister explained that the items to be distributed include tractors, solar water pumps, Faro certified rice seeds, insecticides, storage bags, herbicides, organic liquid fertilizer, knapsack sprayers, and power tillers, among others.
According to him, the inputs would be distributed through commodity associations, cooperative groups, farmers with special needs, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
“The Federal Government is committed to developing the agricultural sector, improving rural productivity, and attaining the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly that of zero hunger,” Kyari said.
He reiterated government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural sector for enhanced food security while contributing to poverty eradication. He recalled that food security was declared a national emergency in July 2023 under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Kyari further stated that the present administration was implementing economic reforms to stimulate production capacity, create jobs, and reduce the cost of living.
“The humanitarian actions already taken are aimed at addressing the food crisis while creating opportunities for growth. We also remain committed to building partnerships with NGOs and the private sector to achieve food security, economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction,” he added.
Responding on behalf of the farmers, the State Secretary of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Abdullahi Nakwada, described the gesture as a welcome development, assuring that farmers in the state were ready to put the inputs to good use.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in Zamfara, Mr. Isiyaku Aliyu, described the initiative as a timely response to boost food production in the state.
