NEMA distributes farm tools to 32,557 farmers in Niger

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has distributed farm implements to 32,557 farmers affected by flood in Niger State in 2020.

The Director-General of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed disclosed this at the flag-off of distribution of the farm inputs to farmers in the North Central senatorial district in Minna

He said the Agency decided to hold the programme in the state because it was among the worst-hit states during the 2020 flood disasters.

He said, ” A total of 32, 557 farmers were verified and were slated to benefit from the federal government agricultural inputs intervention for Niger State”.

The items include; herbicides 81, 390 litres, pesticides 48, 834 litres, Growth Enhancer 68, 944 litres, Rice 12.5kg 16, 278 bags, Maize 10kg,16, 278 bags.

Others are water pump 2, 252 units, Sprayers 8, 139 units, NPK fertilizers 50kg, 22, 450 bags and Cowpea 10 kg ,16, 278 bags.

He further said six trucks conveying 5, 007 bags of 50kg NPK 20-10-10 fertilizer would soon be dispatched to the state for farmers.

” We laud the doggedness and unflinching commitment of President of Muhammadu Buhari, for placing priority and supporting small scale farmers. This unprecedented green revolution ignited by the President has no doubt spread across the nooks and crannies of the country as Nigerians are no longer under the illusion of consuming imported food,” the DG added.

Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani-Bello also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for giving farmers the needed support in the state.

Represented by his Deputy, Ahmed Ketso, Bello revealed that the state government would set up a committee to monitor beneficiaries to ensure they judiciously utilise the farm inputs.

The Director-General of the state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Ahmed Ibrahim Inga, promised the federal agency that the farm tools would be judiciously deployed to help address issues of food security and complement the state government’s efforts.