Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi
The Federal Government through the National Food Security Council has flagged – off distribution of agricultural inputs to 382,308 farmers affected by flood in 2020 across the country plus insurance cover for beneficiaries.
“The distribution was flagged – off under the Emergency Agricultural Intervention to farmers affected by 2020 flood in the national food security council, under the Chairmanship of President Muhammadu Buhari,
Flagging off the distribution in Birnin Kebbi, the Vice Chairman National Food Security Council, govenor Atiku Bagudu, said the aim of distributing the relief is to strengthen food security in the country and safe the farmers and agriculture- related ventures.
Bagudu said it is worth knowing that the national food security council has, since 2018, considered and approved similar intervention for farmers and those in the animal husbandry sector affected by flood and communal clashes in some states of the Federation.
“President Buhari directed that each state that was affected by conflict should be supported so that those affected in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)’ camps would be able to go back to their economic activities.
“For the 2020 intervention, the President approved a due process waver so that NEMA, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, and Ministry of Agriculture can procure and deliver quicker.
“Going to the success of 2018 intervention, the council considered report of the 2020 flood assessment and approved the present distribution.
“A total of 382,308 farmers are targeted to benefit nationwide from this intervention, ” he said.
Bagudu said that the inputs to be distributed comprised seedlings, agro – chemical, fertilizer, pumping machines as well as other inputs for the livestock sector, among others.
Adding that NEMA and other collaborating partners had registered the farmers and identified various yields based on the assessment, which is the determinant of the quality of number of the items each beneficiary will get,” he said.
He also announced that the President Buhari for the first time has graciously approved the provision of insurance cover to all the beneficiaries.”
The governor assured the commitment of the council to facilitate programs and initiatives in support of food production in the country through provision of incentives and assistance to farmers engaged in agro – allies and food processing.
Speaking Earlier, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, said that the flag- off signified the commencement of yet another major landmark effort by the Federal Government to further support persons affected by the 2020 flood disaster.
“Today’s event is a culmination of a follow up commitment to the initial emergency relief items distributed to the affected persons in the aftermath of the 2020 floods.
“This intervention was approved to provide emergency agricultural inputs specifically to further support farmers that lost their crops as a result of the inundation of their farmlands and the cutting off of access to croplands during the flood disaster.
“The unfortunate flood incident resulted in the displacement of several communities, damage to infrastructure, destruction of crop lands and widespread environmental dislocation.
“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, in response to the incidence activated the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to conduct detailed assessment of the situations and make recommendation for intervention,” she said.
Sadiya represented by Aisha Ibrahim, Special Assistant to the minister, urged the identified beneficiaries to cooperate with the implementation teams and make the best use of the inputs provided to them.
“Let me also emphasize that this intervention is not a compensation for losses incurred by farmers.
“It is a demonstration of the great concern by Mr President to support them to get back on their feet and once more restore their normal lives,” she said.
She therefore called on the general public to always take serious flood early warning alerts serious and then take necessary mitigation actions to avert the negative impacts on lives, livelihoods and the environment.
The minister commended President Buhari for approving the implementation of this project and also appreciated Gov. Bagudu as well as heads of agencies for the success of the initiative.
In his closing remarks, the Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Habib Ahmed, appreciated the doggedness and unflinching commitment of Mr President for placing priority and supporting small scale farmers.
“These are real farmers that toil come rain, come shine to feed the nation, safeguard our national food security and our pride as a people.
“Nigerians are now proud to eat the produce of the Nigerian farmer. Beyond saving foreign exchange for Nigeria, farming is now an illustrious profession, thanks to Mr President,” he said.
Ahmed also appreciated Hajiya Farouq and thanked Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Sabo Nanono and Minster of Finance, Hajiya Zainab Shamsuna for their passion and commitment to give succour to distressed persons and to help them get back to their feet whenever disasters hit.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Abubakar Muazu,and Farida Shehu, thanked the federal government for coming to their aid, assuring that they would use the inputs to transform into viable agricultural produce.
