Agric Ministry Distributes Inputs To Small-Holder Farmers In Plateau

The Federal Ministry  of Agriculture and Rural  Development says it has distributed seeds, growth enhancers, seedlings, sprayers and equipment to support small-holder farmers in Plateau State.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammed Abubakar, who distributed the farm inputs in Jos yesterday, said it would stimulate local production of food.
According to Abubakar, stimulation of food production would help to achieve self-sufficiency, attract investments, create jobs and enhance the livelihood of farming families.
He said that agricultural sector had become priority for the current administration and one of the major contributors to the economy, to more than 25 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product.
“Small-holder farmers account for about 70 per cent of national food production.
“This is achieved through the implementation of strategic policies such as the Agriculture for Food and Jobs Plan.
“Also, the Green Imperative, Agricultural Promotion Policy and the Presidential Fertilider Initiative, has been achieved,’’ he said.
The minister said that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted on the sector which caused lots of disruptions along the agricultural value chains, leading to global trade disruptions and resulting in heavy economic losses to farmer’s livelihood.
He said that the ministry carefully assessed the COVID-19 negative impacts and designed a support programme targeting small-holder farmers to enable them return to the farms and continue production.
According to him, it is meant to enhance farming family income, create jobs and generate wealth.
He noted that 35 per cent of the inputs would go to women cooperative groups, 15 per cent to people with special needs while 50 per cent goes to farmer associations in various production clusters.
Abubakar commended the resilience of farmers and also appealed to development partners at the national and sub-national levels to support the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to ensure food sufficiency.
Speaking, Gov. Simon Lalong said that at the end of 2021, the state had witnessed two agricultural activities.
Lalong said that the activities were the farmers’ field day and the inauguration of the 2021/2022 dry season wheat cropping as well as the first ever International Potato Value Chain Conference.
He said that the roll-out was coming at the right time when farmers were preparing for the wet season farming and carrying on with the dry season farming.
“In recent times, especially in the COVID-19 era, our farmers have demonstrated more resilience in the agricultural sector, where there is huge demand for their services and products,” he said.
The governor said that amid the numerous challenges facing farmers such as shortage of farm inputs, seedlings and requisite extension services, there are security issues like kidnapping, banditry, herder-farmer conflicts and climate change.