The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment towards the improvement of agricultural productivity and the general well-being of farmers across the country.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, made this known in his opening remark at the 2021 wet season flag-off ceremony in Kano State.
The event was held to kick-start the adoption of improved production technology for rice and tomato farmers in the Zakirai Gabasawa Local Government Area of the state.
It was organised by the Agro-Processing, Agricultural Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS), Kano Office.
According to the minister, the aim was to enhance the agricultural productivity of small and medium-scale farmers and improve value addition along the rice and tomato value chains.
Nanono who noted that agriculture was critical to the development of any nation, added that no nation can survive without food.
In his words, “Agriculture remains the top priority of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s Next Level agenda.
“Just as Mr President insists ‘we eat what we grow and grow what we eat,’ I remain devoted to the course,” the minister added.
Nanono, therefore, called on the beneficiary farmers’ groups to make judicious use of the inputs, tasking them with the responsibilities of feeding the nation and attaining food security.
The minister who was represented by the State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Kano Office, Alhaji Abba Gana Yamani also decried the indiscriminate felling of trees in disguise of clearing farmland.
He further urged farmers to replace any felled tree to reduce the negative impacts of climate change.
AgroNigeria gathered that 20 farmers’ groups were given 80 bags of NPK; 40 bags of Urea; 13 bags of 44 seed bags; 10 water pumps; one tricycle; one thresher; 10 PPEs; and 80 litres of herbicides among other inputs
Furthermore, 20 hectares of land belonging to the beneficiaries will be harrowed by the government.
SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA
