Niger deputy gov flags off 2024 agricultural inputs distribution under N-CARES

Niger State Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, has officially flagged off the 2024 agricultural inputs and asset distribution to farmers across the 25 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state under the N-CARES Result Area 2 scheme.

The event, held at the Niger State Mechanisation and Development Authority (NAMDA) in Minna, was organised by the State Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with FADAMA N-CARES and Bago CARES.

The initiative aims to enhance the government’s capacity to support vulnerable families and facilitate the recovery of local economic activities.

Acting Governor Garba highlighted that the intervention is set to benefit 94,500 individuals, who will receive agricultural inputs, assets, and small primary processing equipment.

Additionally, 37,500 farmers will gain access to improved agricultural infrastructure, with plans to rehabilitate 30 markets across the state.

Reiterating the state government’s commitment to agricultural development, Garba stated that the administration will continue to invest heavily in this sector to boost food production, stimulate agro-industrialisation, and create employment opportunities in line with the New Niger agenda.

He also assured that the state government is dedicated to attracting investments and supporting interventions by development partners throughout the agricultural value chain.

Alhaji Musa Bawa Bosso, Commissioner for Agriculture, noted that the distribution of inputs and assets comes at an opportune time as the rains have just resumed.

He urged farmers to make effective use of the agricultural inputs to recover from losses incurred during earlier distributions.

He also revealed that 13,600 out of the 94,500 beneficiaries will receive crops, aquaculture, and poultry supplies, while 30,000 individuals from internally displaced camps and flood-affected areas will benefit from food assistance.

The Commissioner further disclosed that 37,500 farmers will have access to 173 agricultural infrastructures, including roads, culverts, mini bridges, and solar boreholes, spread across the 25 LGAs. Additionally, 13,400 farmers and processors will benefit from production and processing assets.

NAMDA Managing Director, Alhaji Mohammed Aliyu Baba, emphasised the importance of focussing on irrigation infrastructure.

He explained that feasibility studies have been completed and 17 irrigation projects have been identified for farmers’ use.

In his remarks, the Vice Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Niger State Chapter, Eng. Abdulrahman Yakubu, commended the efforts of the Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago-led administration in revitalising agriculture in the state.

He acknowledged that the availability of tractors and other implements would significantly enhance agricultural production. Y

Yakubu also called for an enlightenment campaign by the Ministry of Agriculture to better inform and educate farmers on optimal crop production.

The event’s highlight was the symbolic presentation of fertilisers, chemicals, seedlings, and grinding machines, among other farm inputs, to beneficiaries by Acting Governor Yakubu Garba.

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