***TARGETS 2.5 MILLION METRIC TONS OF FOOD THIS YEAR
Niger State governor , farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago has flagged off the federal government’s renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme ( FISP) for the North central region.
The programme which took place in Minna is under the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) aimed at supporting 20,160 smallholder farmers in Niger, Benue, Nassarawa and Kwara States with 80,640 bags of NPK fertiliser.
This was contained in a statement signed by Bologi Ibrahim, the chief press secretary to the Governor, issued to newsmen.
Farmer Umaru Bago who acknowledged the foresight and dedication of President Bola Tinubu towards ensuring the food sovereignty of the nation described the intervention as timely as it will go a long way in boosting agricultural production.
The farmer governor who described agriculture as a sustainable venture for the nation said, Niger State government intends to boost its agricultural production this year to 2.5 million metric tons of grains.
He reiterated that Niger state with its vast arable land and highest number of mechanisation in Nigeria has proven to be a well chosen State for the program pointing out that, with farm implements such as herbicides and pesticides, food production in the State will be harnessed.
The executive secretary and CEO, National Agricultural Development Fund, Mohammed Ibrahim disclosed that, the flag-off is another practical step under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially in his commitment to food security, productivity, and inclusive economic growth.
The CEO while acknowledging the tremendous achievements recorded by the farmer governor in agriculture said, the fertiliser distribution is designed to get fertilisers to the right farmers and for the right crops and to reduce the cost of production, improve access to quality fertiliser, increase yield per hectare, and help strengthen food supply in the market.
Chairman, Niger Foods, Mr Sammy Adigun appreciate President Tinubu and the Niger state Governor for their efforts in supporting farmers across the country, disclosing that the Niger state government has made available equipment for mechanized farming and also subsidizing fertilizer for farmers in the State.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Abdullahi Sabi disclosed that the program was in fulfilment of the promise of the President in his quest of ensuring food security adding that , for the nation to achieve food security, there is the need to support small holder farmers to stimulate production.
He said the NADF which is an agency under the Ministry of agriculture is designed to ensure that farmers are supported across board and such drive will have to be in collaboration with Sub nationals and identified Niger State as one of the shining examples of what President Tinubu is striving for.
Commissioner for agriculture, Isah Sidi Rijau in his remarks described the intervention as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to sustainable food sovereignty designed to strengthen the agricultural sector, focusing specifically on small-scale farmers who play a crucial role in the nation’s food production by cultivating about 98% of the food consumed in Nigerian homes.
Highlight of the occasion include the signing of memorandum of understanding for the implementation of the farm input support programme phase one between the NADF and all the four benefitting States and the symbolic presentation of fertilisers by the farmer governor to beneficiaries of the project
