The Federal Government has begun the distribution of farm inputs to 39,029 farmers affected by flood disaster during the previous cropping season in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inputs are being distributed to the affected farmers in 19 flood prone local government areas of the state under the National Food Security Council (NFSC).
The inputs distribution exercise was being anchored by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (JISEMA).
Mr Sunusi Ado, Coordinator, NEMA Territorial Office, Kano, said that President Muhammad Buhari had earlier inaugurated the national inputs distribution exercise in Kebbi State.
Ado, said that the gesture was an additional support by the Federal Government through NFSC, designed to assist farmers to recover from impact of the disaster.
He said the agency had earlier conducted enumeration exercise to register the affected farmers, adding that the exercise was conducted with support of the relevant stakeholders in the state.
“About 39,000 registered farmers are targetted for the exercise in Jigawa.
“The successful implementation of the intervention is, therefore, very important to assist the affected farmers with modern farm inputs that will support their speedy recovery from the impact of the disaster.
“The intervention is not a compensation for losses incurred by the farmers, it is a demonstration of great concern by President Buhari to support them,” he said.
While calling for effective engagement of stakeholders, Ado urged the beneficiaries to conduct themselves in an orderly manner to facilitate smooth conduct of the distribution exercise across the state.
In his remarks, Alhaji Yusuf Sani, Executive Secretary, JISEMA, commended the Federal Government for the gesture, saying that it would cushion the sufferings of the affected farmers.
Sani said that about 3,000 farmers would benefit from the exercise in Kiyawa LGA.
The beneficiaries, he said, were thoroughly screened to ensure that only the affected farmers benefited from the input distribution exercise.
Also speaking, Alhaji Nasiru Ahmad, Chairman, Kiyawa Local Government Council, lauded the gesture, adding that it would encourage agricultural productivity in the state.
Ahmad enjoined the beneficiaries to ensure effective utilisation of the inputs to increase their production out put, and warned against diversion of the commodities.
On his part, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu, District Head of Kiyawa, also warned the beneficiaries against diversion of the inputs.
Aliyu, represented by Mustafa Ahmad, said community leaders would monitor the beneficiaries to ensure that they put the inputs to good use.
“The gesture is commendable as it will assist our farmers to recover what they lost to flooding.
“As traditional rulers, we will do our best through monitoring to ensure that none of the beneficiaries sold the inputs,” he said.
Some of the beneficiaries, Muhammad Shehu, Rabiu Basiru and Ibrahim Hananiya, thanked the federal government for the gesture and promised to use the inputs judiciously.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inputs included assorted fertilisers, seeds, chemicals and water pumps, among others. (NAN)
