FG to Support Two Million Smallholder Farmers, Distribute 10 Million Bags of Fertiliser – Kyari

By Jibirin, Zaria

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting farmers and strengthening food security across the country with the launch of the Renewed Hope Smallholder Agricultural Financing Programme.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, stated this on Friday in Zaria at the inauguration of the Smallholder Farmers Support and Value Chain Development Programme.

He said about two million smallholder farmers nationwide would benefit from the initiative, while more than 10 million bags of fertiliser would be distributed at subsidised rates with minimal administrative charges.

Kyari said the programme was in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at boosting agricultural productivity through timely provision of farm inputs, increasing crop yields and enhancing national food security.

He added that the intervention was expected to improve farmers’ productivity and contribute significantly to reducing food insecurity across the country.

The minister said Nigeria’s annual grain output, currently estimated at about 11 million tonnes, was projected to increase to 25 million tonnes under the new agricultural financing programme. According to him, the initiative is designed to boost food production, curb rising food prices and improve the livelihoods of farmers.

Speaking at the event, the National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Alhajichairman AFAN Faruq mudi kumo described the programme as a major step towards achieving the agricultural objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Also, the Group Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Mr Ayodeji Sotinrin, said the bank, in partnership with Arzikin Noma Africa, would continue to support farmers with fertilisers, improved seeds and agrochemicals under flexible repayment arrangements after harvest.

Also speaking, the Group Managing Director of Arzikin Noma Africa, Mr Adeoluwa Michael Adeshola, said the long-term success of the programme would depend on sustained private sector participation and strict compliance with loan repayment by beneficiaries.

He said while government should provide policy direction and funding support, implementation would be more effective through the private sector because of its close relationship with farmers and understanding of local agricultural value chains.

Some beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the intervention and pledged to make effective use of the inputs to increase agricultural production.

The event was attended by representatives of the Emir of Zazzau, including the Sarkin Noman Zazzau, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Bamalli, as well as agricultural stakeholders, farmer associations and women groups.