Federal government yesterday distributed farming inputs and equipment to over 70 farmer clusters in Ogun State to boost food security.
Speaking at the event in Abeokuta, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the distribution was in line with the federal government’s commitment to support agricultural production.
Kyari, represented by the Director of Extension Service in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ayodele Olawunmi, said the intervention was prompted by government’s declaration of a state of emergency in the agricultural sector, aimed at increasing food production and stabilising prices.
According to him, the distribution was designed to help farmers sustain output, improve productivity and remain profitable, despite declining market prices.
Kyari said more than 70 farmer groups, cooperatives and associations in the state are benefiting from the exercise.
He added that attainment of food security remains the top priority of the administration in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“The present administration is implementing economic reforms aimed at stimulating productive capacity, creating jobs and reducing the cost of living, while deploying emergency and targeted humanitarian interventions to address the food crisis in the country.
“Several programmes and projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu have been rolled out to tackle the challenges facing farmers and ensure that food is available, accessible and affordable to all Nigerians,” he said.
The minister said the federal and state governments would continue to collaborate to address issues affecting national food security.
He added that efforts have been intensified to build synergy with Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, and the private sector to enhance food production, promote economic growth, generate employment and reduce poverty.
He said short-term support mechanisms are being implemented to make essential farm inputs more affordable and accessible to farmers through transparent and accountable processes.
Kyari listed the items distributed to include power tillers, herbicides, liquid fertilisers, knapsack sprayers and water pumps, adding that the items were channelled through commodity associations, cooperative groups, farmers with special needs and internally displaced persons.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye appreciated the federal government for supporting farmers in the state.
She urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the inputs to enhance productivity, just as she encouraged youths to embrace agriculture as a viable business.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, Alhaja Ganiyat Kushimo commended the federal government for recognising farmers in Ogun, noting that the gesture would boost food production.
Some of the beneficiaries lauded the initiative and pledged to utilise the inputs and equipment effectively.
