Victoria Mgbanwa
The Kaduna State Government has begin distribution of farm implements and agro-processing equipment to 40,000 smallholder farmers across the 23 LGAs, of the state.
The Kaduna state Governor, Senator Uba Sani, on Monday stated this
during the flag-off ceremony to celebrate his one year in office Which took place in the Ikara Local Government Area of the state.
He explained that the ‘A Koma Gona’ (Back to Farm) initiative is to boost the Agricultural sector and attract investment for its growth and development.
He said, “Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy, providing employment and sustaining livelihoods. Kaduna State is blessed with huge agricultural potential.
“Consequently, our administration has come up with programmes and policies to further boost the sector and attract the needed investment for its growth and development. We are taking steps to address key challenges in the sector in order to restore the glory of farming and the joy of rural living.
“Smallholder farmers and small-scale agro-processors have been facing difficulties due to the current economic challenges in the country. This category of farmers is very critical in our quest to ensure food security.
“It is for this reason that our administration has come up with an innovative programnes ‘Tallafin Noma – A Koma Noma’ as part of our Sustainable Livelihoods through Social Interventions and Economic Empowerment Initiative.
“Under this “A Koma Gona” (Get Back to Farm) component, the Ministry of Agriculture is mandated to target a minimum of 40,000 smallholder farmers and farmers’ cooperatives across the 23 LGAs.
“The Tallafin Noma programme includes the distribution of inputs for crop and livestock production. For crop production, improved Maize Seed, Agrochemicals, NPK and Urea Fertilizers are distributed.
“Meanwhile, for livestock production (poultry), 30 day-old chicks (broilers) with four bags of feeds and drugs are distributed, while 50 jumbo juveniles (catfish) with two bags of feeds and drugs are distributed for fisheries.
“To boost micro-mechanisation of the agriculture sector in the state, power tillers with all the necessary equipment and accessories are distributed to farmer cooperative groups. This is a crucial step towards increasing production and productivity in our farms.”
“For the agro-processors, vegetable grinders are distributed to individuals, while hammer mills, haulers and threshers are distributed to cooperative groups as group assets.
“These processing machines will add value to our agricultural produce and improve the livelihoods of individuals and groups involved in agro-processing activities.”
The Governor called on the benefiting smallholder farmers and small-scale agro-processors to make judicious use of the equipment and inputs while noting that the efforts were parts of the administration’s commitment to revitalising the agricultural sector.
