In a concerted effort to bolster food security and counteract the impact of global resource scarcity and food shortages, the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has recently provided essential agricultural inputs to farmers within the states of Abia, Kebbi, and Yobe. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure the steady supply of staple foods to the populace.
The distribution of these inputs is designed to empower farmers nationwide to enhance their crop production, thereby leading to better yields and an increase in overall food production.
Farmers in Abia and Yobe were the recipients of superior-quality fertilizers, herbicides, and enhanced maize seeds. In contrast, those in Kebbi were furnished with high-performance rice seeds, sufficient to cultivate up to half a hectare of land.
A significant gathering of beneficiaries, including those endorsed by the state government and various agricultural associations, convened at the NALDA Institute of Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship located in the IsiAla Okpu community of Osisioma Local Government Area, Abia, to receive their empowerment packages.
Prince Paul Ikonne, the Executive Secretary of NALDA, took the opportunity to underscore the importance of the empowerment program to the assembled farmers. He reassured them of the government’s commitment to ensuring self-sufficiency by providing the necessary inputs and affirmed NALDA’s ongoing support through regular input distribution. Ikonne emphasized that the program aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s pledge to make food accessible and affordable for all Nigerians.
He further stated that the initiative aims to cultivate at least 340 hectares of land, thereby reinforcing the significance of agriculture, promoting self-reliance in food production, and contributing to the reduction of food prices in the market.
The gesture was met with gratitude from the beneficiaries. Among them, Azeezat Jimoh, a community leader, expressed her community’s appreciation for being included in the distribution.
In Kebbi State, the distribution was overseen by Mr. Bashar Bunza, the NALDA administrator, and was well-received by local government officials, including Honourable Manir Abubakar, who acknowledged the potential of the distributed inputs to boost food production.
Beneficiaries were urged to use the inputs for their intended purpose—farming—and not for resale. Habibu Aliyu, a beneficiary who cultivates rice, welcomed the intervention, noting the challenges in obtaining fertilizer and his commitment to making the most of the assistance.
In Yobe State, the distribution was conducted by NALDA’s Director of Finance, Mr. Suleiman Lawal, and targeted beneficiaries from six local government areas.
This empowerment program is a direct response to President Tinubu’s directive for NALDA to engage with farmers across the nation, contributing to the country’s goal of achieving food self-sufficiency. Following the President’s declaration of a food emergency, this initiative serves as a strategic measure to alleviate the high cost of living through enhanced food production.
The anticipated outcome of this program is a noticeable reduction in food prices within the next three to four months, reflecting the positive impact of these efforts on the market.
