Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal, has disclosed that under Fadama III programme, about 100,000 farmers will be empowered with farm inputs in the next four years in the state.
The governor said this on Thursday during the inauguration of COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (N-CARES) programme with the distribution of farm inputs and agricultural assets in Gusau, the state capital.
The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Agriculture, targeting beneficiaries from 14 local government areas in the state.
The governor further revealed that over 700 power tillers and seeds for rice and maize will be distributed to 19,000 farmers across the state.
According to him, his administration is determined to revamp the agricultural sector by providing adequate support to farmers.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing social intervention for underprivileged and vulnerable individuals in the state.
“Through the Fadama III programme, about 100,000 farmers will be empowered with necessary equipment and seeds in the next four years
“Coming shortly after the signing of the 2024 budget, it testifies to our resolve to take the required step towards realising our target in the agricultural sector, which is the most vital sector of the economy of the state,” he said.
“As you are aware, the COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus programme is a multi-sectoral programme centred around three critical result areas and is designed to address specific challenges and harness opportunities on our path towards a robust post-pandemic recovery,” he added.
“Under FADAMA lll, the result area focus is on increasing food security and ensuring the safe functioning of food supply chains for our vulnerable households,” he said.
The governor also said the state government will provide essential input support and services, construct and rehabilitate access roads and allocate assets for production and mitigating food loss and waste.
“In this third cycle, our key objective is to improve the productivity of 11,760 farmers directly by providing them with vital inputs such as fertilisers, herbicides, insecticides, improved seeds and seed dressing chemicals. For the dry season, we have allocated 33,000 bags of fertilisers
“Also, over 700 power tillers and seeds for rice and maize will be distributed to 19,000 farmers. Also, 735 groups of 10 farmers each will be empowered with power tillers and 2,550 individuals will receive small ruminant animals.” he said.
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