The administration of President Bola Tinubu appears to be working hard to ensure that the problem of food insecurity is tamed within the shortest time possible. It has continued to give support to states and farmers so they can produce food towards making Nigeria self-sufficient in food production. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said that another phase of the federal support in the sector has begun. He said the government at the centre has started the distribution of agro-inputs worth N2.8bn to 14,000 farmers in Anambra and Enugu states. Hitherto the supports have been through some agencies like NALDA. But this time the distribution is being done under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme, Phase One.
Kyari disclosed this recently during the agro-inputs distribution of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro Pocket in ATASP-1 Adani-Omor Zone in Ikem, Isi-Uzo council area. The minister who was represented by the Director II, Programme Coordinating Unit in the ministry, Dr Peter Kush, said the distributed farm inputs to ATASP-1 farmers were redeemed at a subsidised rate.
According to him, the Adani-Omor zone had not benefited from the subsidised inputs because it was off-season at the time of planning, hence, the need to implement the programme in Enugu and Anambra states. He said the inputs were procured at the cost of N5bn but offered to the farmers at the subsidised sum of N2.8bn.
In his words, “Each of the benefitting farmers will receive a package of two bags of inorganic NPK/Urea fertilizer, one bag of organic fertiliser, 10kg of seeds of either maize/rice/sorghum and four litres of agrochemicals delivered through ICT platform.
“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government is currently implementing the National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro-Pocket across the nation.
“Farmers have been registered and agro-inputs are being distributed to the farmers in the last dry season and the current rainy season.
“This significant milestone marks a crucial step in our commitment to empowering our farmers and enhancing agricultural productivity.
“By providing quality inputs, we aim to support our farmers in achieving higher yields and ensuring food security for Nigeria.” Flagging off the distribution, Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Peter Mbah, represented by the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Patrick Ubru, said the offering of subsidised inputs was a crucial step towards enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security in our state.
“I commend the Federal Government for its commitment to providing agricultural inputs to our smallholder farmers, a move that resonates with the agenda of my administration in agriculture,” he said.
Also, the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Foster Ihejiofor, hailed the initiative. Professor Soludo said, “The ATASP-1 has been highly beneficial to the participating communities in Anambra State and contributed to the educational and health well-being of our people.”
