The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has launched the distribution of farm inputs to smallholder farmers through their cooperative societies in Adamawa.
Minister of Agriculture, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, represented by the ministry’s Director of Planning and Policy Coordination, Mr Umar Mohammed, said the initiative was designed to boost agricultural production and strengthen food security.
He explained that the items, provided free of charge, included power tiller machines, growth enhancers, sprayers, rice selectors and water pumps.
According to him, the inputs were for the 2024 farming season, while those for 2025 were being processed.
“It is the resolve of the present administration to develop the agricultural sector towards improving rural productivity and attaining the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially that of Zero Hunger. For this purpose, we reiterate our commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural sector for enhanced food security and poverty eradication,” he said.
He urged the beneficiaries to utilise the items effectively and cautioned against selling them in the market.
Adamawa Coordinator of the ministry, Mr Salihu Jenongso, described the intervention as a viable step toward increasing food production and urged cooperative members to intensify their contributions to food security efforts at state and national levels.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Imma Ibrahim, Chairman of Njwa Multipurpose Cooperative Society, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and assured that the inputs would be used judiciously and properly maintained for maximum benefit.
Correspondent reports that 30 cooperative societies have benefitted from the first phase of the distribution.
(NAN)