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Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari.
The Federal Government has begun the distribution of agro-inputs worth N2.8bn to 14,000 farmers in Anambra and Enugu states under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme, Phase One.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this on Tuesday during the agro-inputs distribution of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro Pocket in ATASP-1 Adani-Omor Zone in Ikem, Isi-Uzo council area.
Kyari, represented by the Director II, Programme Coordinating Unit in the ministry, Dr Peter Kush, said the distributed farm inputs to ATASP-1 farmers were redeemed at subsidised rate.
The minister said Adani-Omor zone had not benefited from the subsidised inputs because it was off-season at the time of planning, hence, the need to implement the programme in Enugu and Anambra states.
He said the inputs were procured at the cost of N5bn but offered to the farmers at the subsidised sum of N2.8bn.
“Each of the benefitting farmers will receive a package of two bags of inorganic NPK/Urea fertilizer, one bag of organic fertiliser, 10kg of seeds of either maize/rice/sorghum and four litres of agrochemicals delivered through ICT platform,” he said.
Kyari said the agricultural policy of the Federal Government was aimed at the attainment of food sufficiency and overall socio-economic development in the country.
He said: “Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government is currently implementing the National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro-Pocket across the nation.
“Farmers have been registered and agro-inputs are being distributed to the farmers in the last dry season and the current rainy season.
“This significant milestone marks a crucial step in our commitment to empowering our farmers and enhancing agricultural productivity.
“By providing quality inputs, we aim to support our farmers in achieving higher yields and ensuring food security for Nigeria.”
Flagging off the distribution, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State appreciated President Tinubu for his visionary agricultural policies.
Mbah, represented by the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Patrick Ubru, said the offering of subsidised inputs was a crucial step towards enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security in our state.
“I commend the Federal Government for its commitment to providing agricultural inputs to our smallholder farmers, a move that resonates with the agenda of my administration in agriculture,” he said.
Earlier, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Foster Ihejiofor, also hailed the initiative.
“The ATASP-1 has been highly beneficial to the participating communities in Anambra State and contributed to the educational and health well-being of our people,” the governor said.
