FG, IFAD Distribute Agricultural Inputs To Rice, Cassava Farmers

The Federal Government and International Fund for Agricultural Development – Value Chain Development Programme (FG/IFAD- VCDP), on Tuesday, began distribution of agricultural inputs to rice and cassava farmers in Nasarawa. Dr Eunice Adgidzi, state coordination of VCDP in Nasarawa, at the flag off on Tuesday in Lafia, said the distribution of the agricultural inputs was in furtherance of the VCDP commitment to strengthening rice and cassava value chains in the state. Adgidzi added that the exercise would also help to improve the livelihood of smallholder rice and cassava farmers on a sustainable basis in Nasarawa. She listed the items to be distributed to include 92 irrigation pumps, 40 solar-powered knapsack sprayers, four power tillers and eight tricycles. Others are eight cassava processing equipment, including grinding machines, communal fryers, hydraulic pressers, cassava chipping machine as well as stainless steel rice steam per boilers. The coordinator noted that the programme had sustained its intervention through the distribution of inputs in the state since July 2020. She commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for his support to agriculture, adding that the commitment was gradually making Nasarawa a hub for agricultural excellence. Adgidzi urged the farmers to make judicious use of the items to boost agricultural production. “While VCDP has done its part, farmers must also do their part to enable us to achieve the desired success. “We are all counting on you to effectively utilise these equipment in order to boost production and processing of rice and cassava in the state,” she said. In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Umar Dan-Akano, lauded the VCDP’s intervention in the state. Dan-Akano, represented by the Director, Agriculture Engineering Services, Solomon Umbundaga, said the programme had greatly improved the livelihood of smallholder farmers in the state. He encouraged the benefiting farmers to continue to leverage the opportunity to boost food production in the state. Also speaking at the event, Mr Emmanuel Alanana, Programme Manager, Nasarawa Agricultural Development Programme (NADP), said that Nasarawa government had always prioritised the agricultural sector. He urged farmers to always take advantage of the various programmes to enhance production. Alanana maintained that Nasarawa State used to be a leading producer in cassava and rice, and called for its sustenance. He charged the beneficiaries of the item to make good use of them. “We have the land and the population and there is no need for us to go hungry in Nasarawa State. ” We shouldn’t rely only on rain-fed farming given our potentials for dry season crop production. “So, I appeal to all farmers in the state to take advantage of available opportunities, especially with the passion of the present administration in agriculture,” he said. Some of the beneficiaries, Haladu Abubakar and Margaret Ogah, thanked the VCDP for the intervention, saying it would go a long way to boasting their farm produce.

Subsidy Removal: Tinubu to release N200bn to rice, cassava farmers

*To make grains, fertilizers available President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disclosed that in a bid to cushion the biting effect of fuel subsidy removal, the federal government will be releasing the sum of N200 billion will be released to farmers to cultivate rice, maize, cassava, and wheat. President Bola Tinubu, who made the announcement in a national broadcast Monday added that the amount would be taken from the initial N500 billion approved by the National Assembly for the cultivation of 500,000 hectares of land across the country. According to the President in the broadcast monitored by Nigerian Anchor, the economy will overcome the present turbulence occasioned by the petrol subsidy removal. He further said that there will be an immediate release of grains and fertilizers to ease price increase that is hitting the pockets of Nigerians. “Our economy is going through a tough patch and you are being hurt by it. The cost of fuel has gone up. Food and other prices have followed it. Households and businesses struggle. Things seem anxious and uncertain. “I understand the hardship you face. I wish there were other ways. But there is not. If there were, I would have taken that route as I came here to help not hurt the people and nation that I love. To further ensure that prices of food items remain affordable, we have had a multi-stakeholder engagement with various farmers’ associations and operators within the agricultural value chain. “In the short and immediate terms, we will ensure staple foods are available and affordable. To this end, I have ordered the release of 200,000 Metric Tonnes of grains from strategic reserves to households across the 36 states and FCT to moderate prices. “We are also providing 225,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer, seedlings, and other inputs to farmers who are committed to our food security agenda. “Our plan to support the cultivation of 500,000 hectares of farmland and all-year-round farming practice remains on course. To be specific, N200 billion out of the N500 billion approved by the National Assembly will be disbursed as follows: “Our administration will invest N50 billion each to cultivate 150,000 hectares of rice and maize. N50 billion each will also be earmarked to cultivate 100,000 hectares of wheat and cassava,” the President assured.