Kebbi distributes agric machines, inputs, Ramadan palliatives to 1m residents

The Kebbi Government on Monday began the distribution of agricultural machines, other inputs and Ramadan palliatives to one million residents, to boost dry season farming across the state.

Newsmen reports that items disbursed included; 2,000 units of solar powered pumps, 5,000 units of power tillers, 5,500 units of sprayers, 24,000 litres of herbicide, 70,000 litres of organic fertilisers, and 5,000 trucks of assorted fertilisers.

Gov. Nasir Idris said at the event tagged, “2026 Distribution of Dry Season Farm Implement and Ramadan Palliatives” in Birnin Kebbi, that the support was in line with his administration’s agenda.

Idris explained that the agenda focuses on empowering farmers towards improving productivity and enhancing food security.

He said the state had recorded remarkable achievements in crop production, livestock development and fisheries.

“Our huge investment in providing farmers with free farm inputs and extension services is a testament to our administration’s commitment to empowering our farmers and promoting food security in our state and the nation at large.

“We recognised the challenges faced by our farmers and we have decided to provide them with the necessary tools to overcome such challenges,” he assured.

The governor stressed that the continued growth in the state’s annual agricultural output of three major crops was a testament that the administration’s agenda was working.

He observed that annual production had continued to increase year-in-year-out, revealing that crop production in 2023 stood at 3.05 million tonnes and increased to 3.15 million tonnes in 2024.

He added that the projection for 2025 crop production was more than 3 million which would be ready within March.

According to him, the state’s production in other crops has also witnessed steady increase within the same period.

He equally said that the state remains at the top of the chart as the leading producer of rice in the country.

“As we celebrate all these successes, we are also inaugurating the 2026 dry season farming because for us in Kebbi, we have two circles of production in one dry season.

“Circle one starts in the middle of November to the end of March and crops cultivated in this circle include wheat, vegetables and fruits such as watermelon and sweet-melon.

“The second circle begins in the second week of February to the end of May, with rice and maize as the major crops,” he said.

While assuring that the initiative would further boost food production, create jobs and  increase income, the governor appealed to the farmers to take advantage of the opportunity to contribute to the growth of Kebbi and Nigeria at large.

Idris warned that no attempt should be made to substitute any beneficiary and directed the security agencies to arrest and prosecute any beneficiary found selling the items.

He also warned that no Local Government Council Chairman, Commissioner, Adviser, or member of the House of Assembly should be given anything from the items.

Idris appreciated the federal government for its support to the programme and specifically thanked the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari for his efforts.

In his speech, Kyari argued that agriculture shapes the course of the nation’s economy, noting that more than 80 per cent of Kebbi population engaged in farming and related activities, sustaining livelihood in rural and urban communities.

“Agriculture here is not a seasonal activity – it is an identity, it is culture, it is livelihood and it is the economy.  The Kebbi example underscores a broader national reality: a nation that can not feed its people cannot claim sovereignty.

“Food security, therefore, is an agricultural imperative and the foundation of economic strength, social stability and national resilience.

“President Bola Tinubu has made this position unmistakenly clear by elevating agriculture as a strategic national priority and issuing a mandate that demands action, coordination and measurable results.

“That mandate is one we all share, from the federal government to state governments, from institutions to farmers, each of us carrying responsibility for strengthening domestic production and securing our nation’s future,” he said.

The Minister pointed out that in Kebbi, that mandate had been advanced under the exemplary leadership of Gov. Idris, adding that his administration had made great productivity, value addition and food security central to the state development agenda.

He noted the strategic provision of critical inputs under Idris’ stewardship had equipped farmers with the necessary resources towards increased productivity across the state.

“Kebbi’s long standing leadership in the production of rice continued to define its agricultural identity as the leading producer of rice in Nigeria and major contributor to the nation’s food supply,” Kyari noted.

On his part, the Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Alhaji Shehu Ma’azu, said that the event was the third in the series, since assumption of office of the present administration.

Ma’azu said the governor had been providing water pumps, power tillers and fertilisers alongside other farm inputs to farmers for free.

“This is not a celebration of palliatives but a celebration of success we have recorded in agriculture,” he said.