The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), has distributed assorted farm inputs to smallholder farmers in Benue State as part of efforts to boost food production and ensure national food security.
The items, which included fertiliser, herbicides, fungicides, knapsack sprayers, growth enhancers, tomato seeds, power tillers, and water pumps, were distributed on Friday in Makurdi.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, represented by the Director of Rural Development, Engr. Frank Adole, said the distribution would be carried out through commodity associations, cooperative groups, and farmers with special needs.
He assured that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated strong political will to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector, making food security a top priority.
According to him, several programmes have been rolled out since August 2023 to address farmers’ challenges and realign existing initiatives with the core mandate of the ministry.
Kyari added that the administration is committed to economic reforms that stimulate production, create jobs, and reduce the cost of living while ensuring food availability, accessibility, and affordability in line with the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Speaking at the event, the State Coordinator of FMAFS, Mr. Daspan Nathaniel, urged farmers to use the inputs judiciously, noting that equipment such as knapsack sprayers and water pumps would serve them for years.
Also, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Benjamin Ashaver, represented by Engr. Nathan Dwuem, commended the Federal Government, stressing that the initiative aligns with Governor Hyacinth Alia’s policy of empowering farmers with the right tools to unlock the potentials of agriculture in the state.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Mr. Fidelis Akosu, cautioned farmers against selling the inputs, appealing to President Tinubu to tackle insecurity and consider banning food importation to protect local farmers’ investments.
Similarly, Chairperson of the Small-Scale Women Organisation of Nigeria (SWOFON), Mrs. Veronica Guma, called for greater access to farmland for women, saying it would enhance their contribution to national food production.
