The Sokoto State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, has commenced the distribution of inputs to 250 smallholder farmers in Sokoto state.
During a concise one-day training and distribution ceremony held on Friday, the Permanent Secretary of FMAFS, Temitope Fashedemi, highlighted the initiative’s goal to bolster agricultural production in the state. Representing Fashedemi at the event was Dr. Umar Tukur, the state Coordinator of the ministry.
Fashedemi underscored that the distribution exercise embodies a purposeful strategy to alleviate poverty across all societal segments.
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“The prevailing poverty level in Nigeria necessitates concerted efforts. An estimated 88.4 million people in Nigeria are grappling with poverty,” he stated.
He elucidated that the initiative operates under the Federal Government’s National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS).
“This initiative marks a significant milestone in our joint endeavor to uplift the livelihoods of our smallholder farmers and promote sustainable agricultural methods.
“In collaboration with the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Service (FDAE), NPRGS has meticulously identified and validated approximately 250 farmers for inclusion in this transformative program.
“These farmers not only constitute the backbone of our agricultural sector but also epitomize the essence of our nation’s prosperity,” he asserted.
According to him, NPRGS underscores the government’s commitment to tackling poverty at its core, highlighting the pivotal role of agriculture in economic growth and national development.
He emphasized that through training and empowerment initiatives, the ministries are planting the seeds of positive transformation.
“We aim to ensure that smallholder farmers possess the knowledge, resources, and assistance required to thrive in a constantly evolving agricultural landscape.
“This program is an investment in agriculture, which translates to an investment in the future of our nation,” he emphasized.
The permanent secretary added that beneficiaries were furnished with tools to enhance productivity, fortify resilience, and embrace sustainable agricultural practices.
The Commissioner for Agriculture in Sokoto State, Bello Wamakko, commended the federal government’s empowerment initiatives in the state.
Wamakko highlighted the state’s numerous benefits from federal government interventions and expressed gratitude for the support, which has increased farmers’ investments in the state.
He urged beneficiaries to utilize the knowledge acquired during training effectively and cautioned against selling the inputs.
Abdullahi Bankano, the chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Sokoto State, lauded the gesture, stating it would undoubtedly boost farmers’ performance and urged for more initiatives.
Bankano stressed the need for additional initiatives to address food scarcity and combat poverty in communities.
Meanwhile, these farmers received training in crop enterprises, fisheries, and poultry. The distributed farm inputs included sprayers, herbicides, fish feeds, day-old broilers, and improved seeds of maize, rice, pepper, and tomatoes.
Bankano said the country needed more initiatives to tackle food shortage and fight poverty in the communities.
Meanwhile, these farmers were trained in crop enterprises, fisheries, and poultry. The farm inputs distributed included sprayers, herbicides, fish feeds, day-old broilers, and improved seeds of maize, rice, pepper, and tomatoes.
NAN
