NEMA distributes farm inputs to 32,557 farmers in Niger.
YAHAYA ZAKKA MINNA.
The Director General of National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA), Mustapha Ahmed has flagged-off the distribution of farm inputs to thirty two thousand,five hundred and fifty seven farmers(32,557)in Minna the Niger state capital recently.
Director General Mustapha Ahmed explained that the decision of the agency to hold the flag-off ceremony in Niger state was because the state was among the worst hit states during the 2020 flood disaster.
He stressed that NEMA staff were deployed to the field including communities in Niger state affected by flood and other secondary hazards area to undertake damage and loss assessment in collaboration with the Niger State emergency management agency.
According to the Director General a total of 32, 557 farmers were verified and were slated to benefit from the federal government agriculture inputs intervention in the state.
The items distributed include: “Herbicides 81, 390 litres, pesticides 48, 834 litres, Growth Enhancer 68, 944 litres, Rice 12.5kg 16, 278 bags, and Maize 10kg 16, 278 bags. Others include: water pump 2, 252 units, Sprayers 8, 139 units, NPK fertilizers 50kg, 22, 450 bags and Cowpea 10 kg 16, 278 bags”.
He further mentioned that apart from the enumerated inputs, six trucks conveying 5, 007 bags of 50kg NPK 20-10-10 fertilizer would be added as balance to the state.
Mustapha Ahmed however, lauded the doggedness and unflinching commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari for placing priority and supporting small scale farmers in the country
The Governor of Niger State Abubakar Sani Bello represented by his Deputy, Ahmed Mohamed Ketso at the flag off ceremony, commended the gesture by the Federal Government for the initiative of giving farmers the needed support in the state,
He said the state Government would set up a committee to monitor beneficiaries to ensure they judiciously utilised the farm inputs.
Ahmed Ketso further commended the Federal government for the intervention, according to him would help address issues of food security and complement state Government efforts.
