Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has flagged off the distribution of farm inputs and assets to 8, 200 farmers from across the state, under the Nasarawa State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (N-CARES) programme.
Engineer Sule flagged of the distribution in a ceremony at the Government House, on Thursday.
The Governor disclosed that N-CARES is providing 4, 000 farmers with an input package of herbicide, fertilizer and 4,000kg of sesame seeds in order to support them with climate-smart agricultural inputs to increase farm yield and livelihoods.
He further disclosed that N-CARES is also providing 4, 200 farmers with asset package of sprayer, rain boot, hand glove and nose mask to serve as Personal Protective Equipment in line with global best practices.
The Governor commended the N-CARES for the provision of farm inputs to support local farmers in order to improve yield and boost agricultural production for food security and value-chain addition in the country.
“As you may be aware, the NG-CARES programme was designed to serve as a response to the hardship, occasioned by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic which affected the global economy over the years.
“It is also intended to provide support in form of grant to the poor and vulnerable households, with a view to enhance access to livelihoods and other social services,” he stated.
He emphasized that the Nasarawa State N-CARES programme is focused on agriculture because agriculture remains the mainstay of the economy of the state, with over 80 percent of the population engaging in one form of farming activity or the other.
Engineer Sule used the opportunity of the event to announced that his administration has approved for the immediate procurement and distribution of fertilizers and other farm inputs to farmers, in addition to other farm inputs which are being distributed towards delivering the objectives enshrined in the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS).
In her remarks, State Commissioner of Finance, Hon Munirat Abdullahi, described the event as a turning point in the state government’s commitment to supporting agriculture while recognizing that a thriving agricultural sector is vital for the prosperity of the people and the growth of the state’s economy, as well as growing the IGR of the state.
Represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary at the ministry, the Commissioner explained that N-CARES set out to focus on empowering farmers to ensure food security through the programme.
She admonished the beneficiaries to utilize the items given to them as the agency will be monitoring the utilization of the items.
On his part, Umar Dahiru Ibrahim, NG-CARES state coordinator, disclosed his agency has so far impacted on 100 beneficiaries, adding that the flag off ceremony would witness 400 beneficiaries from Lafia Local Government Area that would benefit from farm inputs and assets.
He further disclosed that 7 trucks have been set aside for distribution across the remaining local government areas of the state.