Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has flagged off the Nigeria Coronavirus [COVID-19] Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus [N-CARES] programme with the distribution of farm inputs and agricultural assets to farmers in the state.
The governor also flagged off the Fadama III project, which had the target of empowering 100,000 beneficiaries across the 14 LGA areas of the state.
A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, explained that over 700 power tillers and seeds for rice and maize will be distributed to 19,000 farmers.
According to him, the current administration is determined to revamp the agricultural sector by providing adequate support to farmers.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony on Wednesday, Mr Lawal reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing social interventions for less privileged and vulnerable individuals in Zamfara.
He said: “Through the Fadama III programme, 100,000 farmers will be empowered with the necessary equipment and seeds over the next four years.
‘Coming shortly after the signing of our 2024 Rescue budget, it testifies to our resolve to take the required steps towards realising our targets in the agricultural sector, which is the most vital sector of the economy of our dear state.
“As you are aware, the COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme is a multi-sectoral programme centred around three critical result areas and is designed to address specific challenges and harness opportunities on our path towards a robust post-pandemic recovery.
“Under FADAMA III, the result area focus is on increasing food security and ensuring the safe functioning of food supply chains for our vulnerable households.”
The governor further disclosed that the government will provide essential input support and services, construct and rehabilitate access roads, and allocate assets for production and mitigating food loss and waste.
“In this third cycle, our key objective is to improve the productivity of 11,760 farmers directly by providing them with vital inputs such as fertilisers, herbicides, insecticides, improved seeds, and seed dressing chemicals. For the upcoming dry season, we have allocated 33,000 bags of fertiliser, comprising 22,000 bags of NPK and 11,000 bags of urea.
“Also, over 700 power tillers and seeds for rice and maize will be distributed to 19,000 farmers. Furthermore, 735 groups of ten farmers each will be empowered with power tillers, and 2,550 individuals will receive small ruminant animals,” Mr Lawal added.
