NEMA flags-off farm inputs distribution in Niger State

The National Emergency Management Agency NEMA has flagged-off distribution of farm inputs to 32,557 farmers affected by 2020 flood disaster in Niger state North-Central Nigeria.

Director General of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed, who flagged-off the distribution in Minna the Niger state capital on Thursday, 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.

“NEMA staff were deployed to the field including communities in Niger state affected by flood and other secondary hazards to undertake damage and loss assessment in collaboration with the Niger State emergency management agency.

“A total of 32, 557 farmers were verified and were slated to benefit from the federal government agriculture inputs intervention for Niger state”, he said.

List of items
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”. 

The NEMA Managing Director further said 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.

Support from Presidency
Ahmed however, lauded the doggedness and unflinching commitment of President of Muhammadu Buhari for placing priority and supporting small scale farmers.

“The unprecedented green revolution ignited by the President had no doubt spread across the nooks and crannies of the country as Nigerians were no longer under the illusion of consuming imported food”, he added.

The Governor of Niger State Abubakar Sani Bello represented  by his deputy, Ahmed Mohamed Ketso, who commended the gesture by the Nigerian  government for the  initiative  of giving  farmers the needed support in the state, said the state government would set up a committee as mechanism to monitor beneficiaries to ensure they judiciously utilised the farm inputs.

Ahmed commended the Federal government for the intervention which would help address issues of food security and complement state government efforts.

Nneka Ukachukwu