The Niger State Government launched an initiative to supply farmers with agricultural inputs for dry season farming, aiming to boost food supply and monitor productivity using GPS coordination.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Musa Bawa Bosso, stated that applicants must provide accurate and verifiable details, including name, gender, date of birth, phone number, and identification.
He disclosed this during a town hall meeting in preparation for the 2024/2025 dry season farming.
The agricultural revolution focuses on grassroots interventions, with eligible farmers receiving inputs like fertilisers and seeds, provided they register, join cooperatives, and submit GPS coordinates.
He said, “Farmers will receive support to cultivate rice, maize, and vegetables, repayable with harvested produce or low-interest credit, and that Farmers must form cooperatives to benefit.”
Supported by Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Company Limited, Executive Director, Mrs Patience Koku assured farmers of the necessary backing to revolutionise agriculture.
Koku, optimistic about the “New Niger Agenda,” emphasized the initiative’s goal to harness the state’s arable land and support genuine farmers with loans.
Recalling the challenges of the last dry season, Koku highlighted a loss of N300m due to dishonest participants.
She said, “Despite mechanising 2,000 hectares, fewer than 300 farmers participated, and Niger Foods incurred losses as farmers absconded with solar pumps provided to them.”
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Matthew Ahmed, urged farmers to inform their peers about the initiative and called on council chairmen to lead the project and ensure only genuine farmers benefit.
The Managing Director of Niger State Agricultural and Mechanisation Development Agency NAMDA, Alhaji Mohammed Baba, and Deputy Director Dr. Hassan Garba called for strong cooperation from farmers to ensure a smooth process.
The program involves collaboration with local councils, agricultural extension agents, and traditional leaders to guarantee its success.