FMARD distributes free inputs, equipment to smallholder farmers
Olaseinde Gbenga
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) has commenced distribution of inputs and farm implements to support smallholder farmers in the country under its special intervention project.
Speaking during the flag off of the distribution exercise in Edo State, FMARD Permanent Secretary, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, explained that the intervention became necessary considering the number of smallholder farmers in the country, saying they form about 70 per cent of the food producing populace.
Umakhihe noted that inputs were provided for free to benefitting farmers in order to open up investment opportunities and create jobs for them, pointing out that the reduction of economic activities occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in about 120 per cent hike in food prices in the country.
He said, “For the past seven years, issues relating to food security have constituted a major focus of the policy thrust of the government. To address the food insecurity occasioned by the crises of national insecurity and the pandemic, the Federal Government through the Ministry came up with strategic policies.
According to him, “The Agriculture for Food and Jobs Plan (AFJP), the Green Imperative, Agricultural Promotion Policy and Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI), among others, are such policies. Of recent is the distribution of inputs and equipment to smallholder farmers and processors.
“These policies are aimed at ensuring food security, economic growth and job creation, especially during the post COVID-19 era.”
Also, Umakhihe said smallholder farmers are the most vulnerable in times of crisis, noting that it was imperative for the government to support them with inputs, especially seeds.
On his part, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Stephen Idehenre, said the State Government through its agricultural intervention programmes had supported 5,000 local farmers.
His words, “Under our Independent Farmer’s Initiative, 2,050 smallholder farmers have been provided with inputs to drive cassava, maize, rice and soybean value chains.
“On the oil palm initiative, 63,000 hectares of brown fields have been made available for nine investors for the development of oil palm plantations,” Idehenre noted.
