In its efforts to tackle food insecurity in the country, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning have empowered 250 vulnerable smallholder farmers in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Abuja, with agricultural inputs to boost productivity as well as achieve food and nutrition security. According to the ministry, the empowerment programme is under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS), which is aimed at addressing poverty at its roots and boost the economic growth of Nigerians.
Speaking during the training and empowerment of verified and validated farmers at the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Gwagwalada, Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Temitope Fashedemi said that the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS), in collaboration with the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Service (FDAE), had diligently enumerated and validated approximately 250 farmers for participation in this transformative programme. Fadeshemi, who was represented by the Director, Department of Agricultural Extension Services, Mr. Michael Brooks, stated that the initiative was to empower smallholder farmers, boost production as well as achieve food and nutrition security.
He explained that the farmers are not just the backbone of the agriculture sector, but are also the heartbeat of national prosperity, hence are placed on the front burner under the President Tinubu-led ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda,’’. He also charged participating farmers to see their role as paramount in shaping the trajectory of the nation’s agricultural success. According to him, through initiatives like training and empowerment programmes, the ministry is sowing the seeds of positive change in its bid to ensuring that smallholder farmers have the knowledge, resources and support needed to thrive in an ever-evolving agricultural landscape. “As we equip these farmers with the tools to enhance productivity, improve resilience, and embrace sustainable practices, we are laying the foundation for a more resilient and prosperous agriculture sector’’, he noted.
Brooks, who was represented by the Director II of FDAES, Dr. Deola Lordbanjou, said in his welcome address that the inputs that would boost productivity of farmers, as they get free of charge in recognition of the great jobs they are doing. One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Lydia Oke, expressed delight at the intervention and assistance given to smallholder farmers and promised that the inputs would be used judiciously. Meanwhile, FarmingFarmersFarms has exclusively gathered that food security is a major tool to tackle economic hardship that is affecting the country.
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