The Kebbi State government in North West Nigeria says it has spent Five billion Naira so far to support farmers in the state in its quest to ensure food production and food security.
The Kebbi State governor, Dr. Mohammed Idris disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Sen. Abubakar Kyari in Abuja Nigeria’s Capital.
Dr. Idris who disclosed that his administration is focusing on 3 key areas of agriculture, education, and security.
While breaking down some of the projects that the money was spent on, he said fertilisers worth 2.8 billion Naira have been distributed to farmers in the state as part of efforts to support farmers to produce more.
Dr. Idris said Kebbi state, being an agrarian state, the fertilisers that were distributed timely to farmers for free, was to show its commitment to agriculture.
” Like you know, Kebbi State is an agrarian state, God has blessed us with a very fertile land that we can grow not only rice, we can grow wheat, maize, millet and sorghum”
“When we came, based on the importance we attach to farming, my administration has purchased fertiliser worth 2.8 billion to distribute to farmers free of charge,”
The governor also disclosed that his administration has purchased 320 trucks of assorted grains, which it distributed to the people of the state for free.
On the issue of fuel price hike and its effect on irrigation in the state, governor Idirs said the state has already purchased 6000 solar powered pumps irrigation.
” Kebbi State has already purchased 6000 solar powered pumps, because of the issue of the hike in fuel price, we want to purchase 12,000 but 6000 is available for distribution to farmers so that our farmers can produce”
According to the governor, the state is ready to spend more in order to continuously boost food security in the state and the country at large.
He added that his administration is ready to partner with the federal government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to ensure Synergy of purpose.
On his part, the host Minister, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Senator Abubakar Kyari said “the federal government is taking all necessary steps to end the interference of portfolio farmers with policy implementation across the country.”
Senator Kyari said that having steps are being taken to ensure they deal directly with the real farmers by ensuring a comprehensive database of farmers is made available.
He said measures are also being taken to ensure success of the second phase of the dry/wet season. Farming that would focus on Rice, Maize, and Cassava.
“I would like to draw Your Excellency’s attention to what would be critical success factors in the Federal Government’s intervention in the second phase of the Dry/Wet Season Farming that will involve the cultivation of rice, maize, and cassava. Availability of credible farmers’ data and accurately geo-referenced farmlands are germane”
“This is to ensure that agro-inputs get to real farmers who have the requisite hectarage to cultivate and are, therefore, not at the mercy of portfolio farmers who hijack agro-inputs and later round-trip to the economic detriment of genuine farmers”
Senator Kyari said that with adequate readiness, Kebbi state should benefit from the second phase of the Dry/Wet Season farming that is due to commence in a couple of weeks.
Shakirat Sadiq
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