The Federal Government has empowered 250 small holder farmers in the Federal Capital Territory with agricultural inputs in order to enhance productivity, improve resilience and embrace sustainable practices.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Temitope Fadeshemi, who spoke at the opening of the empowerment on Tuesday in Abuja, said the event was critical to food production.
Fadeshemi said that the empowerment of verified and validated farmers under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS) was a crucial initiative.
The permanent secretary was represented by the Director, Department of Agricultural Extension Services, Mr Michael Brooks.
He said that the support for smallholder farmers became really necessary to ensure there was enough food to meet the demands of Nigerians.
Fadeshemi explained that farmers were not just the backbone of the agricultural sector and heartbeat but also the heartbeat of national prosperity.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our collective commitment to uplifting the lives of our smallholder farmers and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
“I am delighted to remind you that the NPRGS, in collaboration with the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Service (FDAE), has diligently enumerated and validated approximately 250 farmers for participation in this transformative programme.
“These farmers are not just the backbone of our agricultural sector; they are the heartbeat that form the heartbeat of our nation’s prosperity.
“The NPRGS reflects our government’s dedication to addressing poverty at its roots, emphasising the pivotal role agriculture plays in economic growth and development.
“Through initiatives like today’s training and empowerment programme, we are sowing the seeds of positive change, ensuring that smallholder farmers have the knowledge, resources, and support needed to thrive in an ever-evolving agricultural landscape.
“This programme is not merely an investment in agriculture; it is an investment in the future of our nation.
“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 agricultural sector,” he said.
Fadeshemi called on stakeholders to build a future where smallholder farmers were not just beneficiaries of progress but active contributors to nation’s growth.
Earlier, the Head of Horticulture, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Deola Lordbanjou, said that the inputs would boost productivity of farmers.
He urged Nigerians to also do backyard farming to ease pressure, saying it would go a long way to solve the problem of hunger in the land.
One of the beneficiaries, Elizabeth Oyerinde, expressed excitement over the intervention and assistance given to smallholder farmers.
She promised that the inputs would be used to achieve the purpose for which they were given. (NAN)
