FG LAUNCHES FREE DISTRIBUTION OF FARM INPUTS TO BOOST FOOD SECURITY IN NIGER STATE
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The Federal Government has begun distributing free farm inputs and equipment to smallholder farmers in Niger State as part of efforts to achieve food security.
The intervention, spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, covers 31 Commodity Associations, Cooperative Groups, and Farmers with Special Needs. Items distributed include tractors, planters, tillers, and water pumps.
Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to support farmers and strengthen national food sufficiency. He stressed the need for transparency and urged the media to monitor the process to prevent misuse.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, highlighted that 35% of the support is reserved for women farmers in line with the National Gender Policy on Agriculture.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, who hosted the event, promised state-level support and pledged to revive the Cooperative Bank to make loans more accessible to smallholder farmers.
Beneficiaries and stakeholders, including the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, applauded the initiative, calling it a timely move to empower farmers and reduce poverty.