The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari on Monday revealed that Katsina was one of the states that recorded 99.74% success during the 2023/2024 dry season wheat cultivation where production took place in the country.
He added that the state further recorded 100% success relative to targets in the second phase of the 2023/2024 dry season farming as well as 98.23 success recorded in the last 2024 wet season all under the Federal Government, FMAFS-NAGS-Agro Pocket Input Support Programme.
Kyari disclosed this at the Katsina People’s Square when he launched the 2024/2025 dry season distribution of agriculture equipment worth over N8m purchased by the state government to committed farmers across the state.
He therefore commended the relentless effort of the state governor in boosting agricultural activities to achieve agricultural sustainable development which he said, is in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
The minister maintained that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security will continue to ensure the availability of certified and affordable quality seeds and improved agro inputs.
He also encouraged state governments to key into the measures being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in fulfilment of the mandate to meet the goals of the state of emergency declared on food security by President Tinubu.
“Supporting farmers with these implements and fertilisers, the state government is taking a huge burden on the farmers and enabling them to cultivate their crops.
“It’s on record that Katsina is one of the front-line states with comparative advantage to produce various crops both during wet and dry irrigation festivities,” he said.
In his address, the Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda announced that the agricultural equipment being distributed to the benefiting farmers is in the sum of eight Billion, 281 Million, 340 thousand Naira meant to support agricultural development in the State.
He therefore commended the Federal Government for donating huge agricultural equipment for farmers in the State
The equipment comprised 48,000 bags of assorted fertilisers, and 4,000 bags of power tillers alongside 4,000 solar-powered water pumps.
Earlier his welcome address, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Livestock Development in Katsina Ahmed Bakori announced that the reason for the distribution of this equipment is to ensure food security which he said is the top priority of the current state administration.
According to him, pieces of machinery have been put in place to closely monitor the beneficiaries to ensure that they don’t sell out the equipment in the market.
With this intervention, it is hoped that the farming production will be doubled in the forthcoming dry and wet season farming in the state.
In August, Radda assured readiness to invest over thirty (30) billion Naira in the state agricultural sector as part of measures to address irrigation challenges and other agricultural issues facing the sector.
This, according to him, is to boost productivity and increase the income generation of people and the fortunes of the state.
Radda who was speaking shortly after returning from an annual vacation told reporters that his trip to China may not be unconnected with a commitment to revolutionise the agricultural sector of the State to alleviate the poverty level of people in the state.
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