In a significant move to enhance Food and Nutrition Security, attract private sector investment, and reduce post-harvest losses, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has initiated the distribution of subsidized farm inputs to smallholder farmers across the North Western States.
This initiative is being carried out through the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agropocket (NAGS-AP) under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase One (ATASP-1) of the Federal Government of Nigeria, with funding from the African Development Bank.
According to a press statement signed by the Principal Information Officer, Obe M. Mabel, the distribution of these subsidized inputs was officially launched at a flag-off ceremony held in Bunkure Local Government Area, Kano State.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalem, highlighted the significance of NAGS-AP in achieving food and nutrition security, promoting employment generation, and attracting private sector investments in the agriculture sector. The initiative focuses on rice, sorghum, and cassava value chains.
The program targets beneficiaries from various communities in Bunkere Rano, Bagwai, Dawakin Kudu, Bebeji, and Garun Malam Local Government Areas of Kano State. It aims to support 60,000 farmers across the five states of the ATASP-1 program with highly subsidized inputs, such as fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides, to increase their productivity and contribute to the national agricultural output.
In a keynote address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, emphasized the importance of the event in driving agricultural production and providing access to quality agricultural inputs for farmers.
The government covers 80% of the total cost of the input package while participating farmers are responsible for the remaining 20% at the Redemption Centers. To ensure transparency and efficiency, the government introduced an ICT platform called the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS & AP) for delivering inputs to farmers, making the program more notable than before.
Dr. Umakhihe urged the beneficiary farmers to utilize the inputs effectively to increase their farm output and income, warning against any attempts at input round-tripping, which would be treated according to the provisions of the law.
The National Programme Coordinator, ATAPS 1, Dr. Ibrahim .M. Arabi, highlighted that the global challenges of Covid-19, insecurity, and food insecurity prompted the restructuring of ATASP-1 to provide initial funding for the implementation of NAGS-AP. The primary objective is to improve the production and productivity of staple food crops and mitigate the nation’s food insecurity situation.
The distribution ceremony was attended by the Kano State Commissioner of Agriculture, traditional rulers, and relevant stakeholders, including the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Fertilizer Producers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN), and Nigerian Agro Input Dealers Association (NAIDA).
The commencement of the distribution of farm inputs through NAGS-AP is expected to have a positive impact on agriculture in the North West region, ultimately contributing to the nation’s food security and economic development.
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