In its bid to improve productivity and food security, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), has distributed plant seedlings, fertiliser, herbicide and poultry feeds to 250 farmers in Anambra State. The items were distributed at a Training and Empowerment of Verified and Validated Beneficiaries of the National Poverty Reduction With Growth Strategy (NPRGS) in Awka, the Anambra State capital. They included day-old chicks, maize, okro, tomatoes and pepper seeds, poultry feeds, liquid fertilizer, herbicide, Knap- sack sprayers and cash gift. They were distributed by Arthur Mbuba, the State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development who represented the Permanent Secretary of FMAFS, Mr. Temitope Fadeshemi.
Mr. Abuba said the empowerment was in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, adding that it was part of President Bola Tinubus commitment to uplifting the lives of smallholder farmers and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
He said, The level of poverty in Nigeria is alarming. An estimated population of 88.4 million people in Nigeria is living in extreme poverty. This is why the Federal Government is making conscious efforts at reducing the spate of poverty across the country by equipping farmers with the tools to enhance productivity, improve resilience and embrace sustainable practices.” Mr. Abuba explained that it was the belief of the authorities that Through this empowerment, we are sowing the seeds of positive change, ensuring that smallholder farmers have the knowledge, resources and support needed to thrive in an ever-evolving agricultural landscape.”
Also speaking, the Programme Manager, Anambra State Agricultural Programme, Mr. Jude Nwankwo, described farmers as active contributors to the nations growth. Hear him, With the current economic hardship, there is hunger in the land and the only way to tackle hunger is by empowering and giving palliatives to farmers who will produce the food.” However, there are people who believe that such support are not always put to good use, such that at the end of the day the government may not achieve the desired objective. But to assure Nigerians that the culture will change henceforth, Mr. Nwankwo said, We will monitor and ensure that the farmers make effective use of these inputs for positive outcomes.
