Perpetual Iyere-Usiahon, assistant director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, presenting input to a beneficiary

…FG distributes inputs, equipment to 500 farmers in Edo

As part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agricultural reform, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has distributed inputs and equipment to over 500 smallholder farmers in Edo State.

Abubakar Kyari, minister of Agriculture and Food Security, flagged off the distribution of inputs to farmers on Tuesday in Benin City.

Kyari, represented by Perpetual Iyere-Usiahon, assistant director in the ministry, said the exercise was geared towards encouraging all-around farming activities in the state as well as in the country.

He also said that it was in line with the federal government
policy to boost food security in the country.

He added that it was one of the many programmes and projects rolled out by the ministry to address some of the challenges of farmers and make food available, accessible and affordable to all Nigerians.

According to him, the various inputs for distribution to farmers are part of our efforts in increasing food production and mitigating the food crisis in the country.

The minister posited that one of the ways to address some of the challenges is the facilitation of agro-inputs and basic farm machinery to small-scale farmers, who are constrained by the high market cost of the essential inputs, and also need assistance.

He listed some of the inputs and equipment distributed to the farmers to include knapsack sprayer, growth enhancers, rice destoners, power tillers, as well as cocopeat and bucket.

Kyari explained that the items are distributed to farmers through commodity associations, cooperative groups, farmers with special needs bodies and women groups.

He noted that the distribution was part of the ministry’s programme to increase agricultural production and ensure food security in the country.

He further added that the exercise was the ministry’s policy towards delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The minister, however, reassured farmers that the federal government has demonstrated total political will to transform the Agricultural sector of our dear country by prioritising food security.

“Since our assumption of office on 21 August, 2023, we have examined what needs to change and what we need to do to realign existing initiatives and programmes that are on course to be in line with the core mandate of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

“Accordingly, and going forward, we commit to ensuring that all our sectoral programmes and initiatives of the Government in the area are completely aligned to achieve the Presidential priority.

“To achieve this, the federal and state governments are continually engaged towards addressing all issues affecting national food security.

“We also remain committed to promoting and creating synergies
with Non-Governmental Organisations and the private sector to enhance efforts at ensuring food security. Economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction.

“In this respect, the ministry has considered the implementation of short-term plans and support mechanisms to make essential farm inputs more affordable and accessible to farmers through a transparent and accountable process,” he said.

Earlier in her remarks, Patricia Imade, the Edo State coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, noted that with the inputs and equipment, the farmers are empowered to increase their yields, improve their livelihoods and contribute to the nation’s food security.

I described the distribution of farm inputs as a critical component of the ministry’s efforts to boost agricultural productivity and food security

She urged farmers to make optimal use of the inputs and to follow best practices in their farming activities.

She also encouraged them to take advantage of the various support services available to them, including extension services, training, and credit facilities.

The state coordinator, however, appealed to the farmers to work with the ministry to make a meaningful impact on the agricultural sector and contribute to the nation’s food security.

In separate interviews, Omobude Agho and Leon Esebanmen, chairman of EDOCSO Investment Limited and Owan Agrarian Cooperative Limited, commended the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for the free inputs and equipment.

The duo also appreciated the Edo State Coordinator of the Ministry for her efforts in ensuring that farmers in the state benefited from the federal government programmes.