FG Distributes Agro-Inputs To 1,000 Farmers In Lagos, Nasarawa

The Federal Government, on Friday, has disclosed the distribution of farm inputs to 1,000 farmers in Lagos and Nasarawa states to boost food production in the states.

It noted that the move was in line with ongoing efforts to ensure the availability of staple foods for Nigerians, saying it would assist farmers across the country to maximise crop cultivation for improved yields and production.

The farm inputs were distributed by the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, an agency of the Federal Government, which announced that accredited beneficiaries of the empowerment programme have received a NALDA branded bag containing maize and bean seeds, herbicides, fungicides, pesticides and fertilisers.

In a statement issued in Abuja, NALDA said, “Each pack, if properly planted and properly maintained till harvest, can yield up to six tonnes of produce for each farmer."

It explained that the inputs were distributed with each state’s area of agricultural specialisation in view, while the biometrics of beneficiaries were captured on their farms to get a comprehensive database of farmers and ensure that only genuine farmers benefit.

"In Lagos State, 500 beneficiaries from Lagos East Senatorial District consisting of Epe, Ibeju/Lekki, Ikorodu, Agbowa, Imota and others got the empowerment package," the agency said.

The Executive Secretary, NALDA, Paul Ikone, represented by the agency’s Information, Communications and Technology Director, Mr Chima Onuha, expressed that the initiative was by the agenda of President Bola Tinubu in agriculture development and food security.

For Nasarawa State, the agency said, “500 farmers drawn from all over the state benefited from the distribution exercise, which took place at the Emir’s palace in Lafia, the state capital.”

While speaking during the distribution exercise, the Emir of Lafia and Chairman of Nasarawa Council of Chiefs, Justice Sidi Muhammed (Rtd), applauded the Federal Government for the initiative.

He said, .“If the Federal Government is saying that we are giving you this free without you dipping hands in your pockets to do it, then people must take advantage of it."