Over one hundred and fifty small-holder farmers in Katsina State have benefited from assorted agricultural inputs, equipment, and seeds from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Muhammad Mahmud Abubakar, disclosed this on Saturday in an occasion to roll out agricultural inputs and equipment as an intervention for smallholder farmers in the State.

The distribution is part of the ministry’s efforts to alleviate the negative impacts of insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic on smallholder farmers. The measure is also to avert the looming food crisis in the country which is aggravated by the Russian/Ukraine war.

The minister represented by a director in the ministry, Mr. Ukata Benard, said the inputs are given to farmers free, considering the fact that, sixty percent of the rural population is made up of young women and men aged 15-24 years.

He further urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the inputs to produce food for the nation, calling on other stakeholders to provide similar support to small-holder farmers for the country to become self-sufficient in food production.

The minister recalled that this year alone, the ministry also distributed different equipment, improved seeds, and seedlings of various crops to farmers in Osun, Plateau, Kaduna, Taraba, and Edo states in an effort to support small holder farmers.

“In this input distribution, at least 35% of the inputs are targeted at women farmers in line with the targets set in the ministry’s National Gender Plan and Policies aimed at ensuring increased opportunities for women; while 15% are targeted at farmers with special needs.

“Only that way will be possible for us to spur the growth of agriculture and brighten the future of Nigerian young women and men,” he added

The Minister while assessing the importance of rural farmers to the nation’s economy, and the challenges facing them, also maintained that the ministry designed support programmes targeting small-holder farmers to enhance the farming family’s income, create jobs and generate wealth.

In his address, the Chairman House Committee on Agric Production and Services, Hon. Muntari Dan-Dutse, accused security agencies of the country of not doing enough to checkmate insecurity for the future generation.

Dan-Dutse, who is also the member representing Funtua/Dandume Federal Constituency in Katsina State, called on all the security agencies and other stakeholders to have a sustained and coordinated operation to end criminality and banditry facing the country.

He, however, demanded the immediate resignation of service chiefs for failing to do their duties, asking them to allow the most capable hands to handle the issue. He also urged media practitioners in the country to always carry out critical analysis and balance their reportage, especially on the security aspects.

“Sadly, our experience in the recent case of the sudden emergence of insecurity, banditry activities, which in effect cripple the economy and social engagement and inject constant fear of our communities, is a bitter threat of boosting agriculture.

“We have to give a collective effort and responsibility to each and every responsible Nigerian irrespective of their differences.

“We have to be bold enough to work together with all relevant security agencies and other stakeholders to have a sustained and coordinated operation to end the unfortunate and sad situations of criminality and banditry facing the country,” he noted.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Assistant Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sule Salisu said, the program is aimed at touching the lives of smallholder rural farmers who are working hard to feed the nation.

The aim, he explained, is to increase their income, reduce the level of poverty, increase food security and accelerate the economic growth of farmers.

Items distributed include; one ton of certified seeds of rice and maize; 1,200 litres of different organic growth enhancers, 2000 litres of cypermethrin, litres of relisate and glyphosate; 1,600 litres of landacylothrine, 150 pasta machines, as well as 15 units of corn harvester.

Other items are 10 units of hammer mill with cyclone, 700 units of knapsack sprayer, 120 units of water pump, 7 units of maize thresher, and 100 units of hand push planter.