The Niger government has begun distribution of inputs and assets to 94,500 farmers under the 2024 FADAMA NG-CARES and Bago-CARES schemes.
The inputs were being distributed to the beneficiaries across the 25 local government areas of the state.
The acting governor of the state, Mr Yakubu Garba, stated this at the inauguration of the distribution exercise on Thursday in Minna.
He said the FADAMA NG-CARES programme was designed to support poor and vulnerable people with inputs to increase productivity and improve livelihoods.
According to him, the programme aims to mitigate impacts of the COVID-19 on agricultural livelihoods, enhance farmers resilience and facilitate quick recovery.
“The initiative will enhance government capacity to support vulnerable families and facilitate the recovery of local economic activities in the country.
“The goal is to increase food security, sustain food supply chains and improve the standard of living of small-scale farmers in the state,” he said.
Garba said that the beneficiaries would receive inputs, assets and mini primary processing equipment.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Musa Bawa enjoined farmers to ensure effective utilisation of the inputs to recover their losses.
He said that 13,600 farmers would be supported to engage in poultry and crop production, while food palliative would be distributed to 30,000 displaced persons under the Agricultural Inputs and Services (DLI 2.1).
The commissioner said that 13,400 farmers and processors would receive tractors, power tillers, rice mills, hammer mills, de-stoners, hand reapers, multi-purpose threshers, and trans-planters as well as small ruminants.
Also speaking, Shehu Mohammed, the Coordinator, FADAMA project, said the inputs and assets were provided by the Federal Government, World Bank and Niger State Government, to mitigate impact of the COVID-19.
“The targeted beneficiaries are peasant farmers, they will get three bags of NPK and Urea fertilisers and three litres of chemical for free,” he said.
He said the farmers could also access free tractor services, to improve their incomes and living conditions. (NAN)
