Our reporter
The Federal Government says 1,000 farmers in Lagos and Nasarawa states have received farm inputs to boost food production in the states.
In a statement by the National Agricultural Land Development Authority in Abuja, it was noted that the move was in line with ongoing efforts to ensure the availability of staple foods for Nigerians, adding that it would assist farmers across the country to maximise crop cultivation for improved yields and production.
According to NALDA, accredited beneficiaries of the empowerment programme received a branded bag containing maize and bean seeds, herbicides, fungicides, pesticides and fertilisers.
The agency stated, “Each pack if properly planted and properly maintained till harvest, can yield up to six tonnes of produce for each farmer.”
The inputs, NALDA stated, were distributed with each state’s area of agricultural specialisation in view, while the biometrics of beneficiaries were captured on their farms to get a comprehensive database of farmers and ensure that only genuine farmers benefit.
The agency said, “In Lagos State, 500 beneficiaries from Lagos East Senatorial District consisting of Epe, Ibeju/Lekki, Ikorodu, Agbowa, Imota and others got the empowerment package.
“For Nasarawa, 500 farmers drawn from all over the state benefited from the distribution exercise, which took place at the Emir’s palace in Lafia, the state capital.”
The Executive Secretary, NALDA, Paul Ikone, represented by the agency’s Information, Communications and Technology Director, Mr Chima Onuha, said the initiative was in line with the agenda of President Bola Tinubu in agriculture development and food security.
Speaking during the distribution exercise, the Emir of Lafia and Chairman of Nasarawa Council of Chiefs, Justice Sidi Muhammed (Rtd), commended the Federal Government for the initiative, noting that the gesture would go a long way in boosting the economy of the state while urging beneficiaries to utilise the opportunity.
He added, “If the Federal Government is saying that we are giving you this free without you dipping hands in your pockets to do it, then people must take advantage of it.”
A beneficiary, Owolabi Odulaja, who appreciated NALDA for the gesture, said it would go a long way in tackling poverty.
“This initiative will help the people to tackle poverty. We thank President Tinubu and NALDA for this great support during this challenging economic period,” he stated.
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