Dry/Wet Season Farming: FG Targets Genuine Farmers For Agro-Inputs
Senator Abubakar Kyari
The Federal Government says it will adopt stringent measures in the forthcoming Dry/Wet Season Farming for Rice, Maize, and Cassava to ensure transparent distribution of agro-inputs and targeting genuine farmers.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari disclosed this at the weekend while playing host to the governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
Senator Kyari said that the visit of the governor is a substantiation of the strong partnership and collaboration the federal government is striving to build between the states and the federal government in the collective efforts to ensure food security and agricultural development in Nigeria.
The minister said that collaboration with states, local governments, traditional rulers, NGOs, and relevant MDAs will be crucial in achieving this goal.
The agric minister commended the Sokoto State governor for what he described as the great work he is doing to promote agriculture in the state.
According to him, “We are aware that the agricultural sector in Sokoto State has experienced remarkable achievements since your administration came to office. Your efforts towards the provision of Agricultural Input Support to farmers in the State is well noted.
“Your distribution of assorted fertilizer to farmers for free in all the 23 Local Government across the state, provision of free assorted seeds and agro chemical to farmers for the 2023/2024 dry season farming and the recently constructed 450 hectares Kware Irrigation Scheme (with payment of compensation to the affected farmers) attests to progressive governance and then makes it a statement of fact that Sokoto has a Frontline Position in the Renewed Hope for Food Security Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
The minister said that he is optimistic that there are possibilities ahead as the government leverages on the lessons learnt from the first phase of the Dry Season Food Production which began with Wheat in 15 participating states, including Sokoto.
“However, it is imperative for us to take the lessons learnt during the review of the implementation of the Wheat Dry Season Farming in the 15 participating states (including Sokoto) and ensure that they add quantifiable value to our agricultural development agenda,” the minister said.
“To that effect the Expression of Interest for the Dry Season Production of Rice, Maize and Cassava that I sent to all the 36 states and FCT (which I am sure Your Excellency received), captures a design structure that speaks to farmers’ data integrity, inventory of available irrigable lands as well as functional irrigation infrastructure with the primary aim of determining the readiness of participating states. We are already getting responses from some states.”
Responding, the Governor thanked the Minister for accepting to host him. He said Sokoto State is largely an agrarian state where different crops are produced.
He informed the minister that his visit was to seek his support and see how best the state can collaborate with states federal government in the effort to achieve food security for the country.
Governor Ahmad said since he assumed office as governor of Sokoto State, he made it a priority to subsidise agricultural activities to make farming attractive to genuine farmers.
According to him, “Just last month we distributed 100 tons of assorted fertilizer free of charge, 10 trucks to each of the 23 local government areas in the state. We Achille provided them farm inputs including agro-chemicals. “
