The Federal Government has pledged to stabilize the prices of agricultural inputs across the country as part of ongoing efforts to boost food production and reduce hardship among farmers.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, made this pledge on Wednesday in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, during the flag-off of the distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers’ groups drawn from across the state.
Senator Kyari said the Federal Government would apply the same approach used to stabilise food prices to address the rising cost of farm inputs such as fertilisers, seeds, and equipment, which farmers have complained about in recent times.
According to him, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration is committed to tackling hunger, supporting farmers, and ensuring food security in Nigeria.
“This programme that we see here is one of the visions of Mr President in trying to alleviate the sufferings of the people and also to support farmers,” Kyari said.
“At least, we were able to get prices of food stabilised. I know farmers are now complaining about the prices of inputs, and we will also do the same for inputs, just like we did for food prices.
“We are going to bring down the prices of inputs. It is going to be a deliberate effort, and I am sure state governments are going to participate as well,” the Minister added.
The agricultural inputs distributed include 46 tricycles, nine weight scales, three destoners, seven petrol engines, seven small-scale rice mills, and two steam parboilers, among others. The items were given to organised farmers’ groups across the state to support their farming and processing activities.
The inputs were purchased by the Federal Government in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) through the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP). The programme focuses mainly on improving rice and cassava production, processing, and marketing.
Kyari explained that the VCDP was designed not only to increase food production but also to improve farmers’ incomes and living standards by reducing post-harvest losses and adding value to farm produce.
He noted that when the VCDP was launched a few years ago, the target was to reach 150,000 farmers across participating states. So far, about 135,000 farmers have benefited from various forms of support under the programme.
The Minister expressed optimism that before the programme ends later this year, the remaining target would be achieved.
“I am happy to say that those who have benefited from this programme are doing well for themselves. Before the end of the programme, we will reach the target of 150,000 farmers. This is part of our efforts, together with IFAD, to ensure food security in Nigeria,” he said.
He urged farmers who received the inputs to make good use of them to improve their productivity and livelihoods. Kyari also commended the Nasarawa State Government for consistently paying its counterpart funds, which he said had helped the programme to continue and make real impact in the state.
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, who spoke at the event, thanked President Tinubu and the Minister of Agriculture for their continued support to the state.
Governor Sule said Nasarawa State remains one of Nigeria’s leading food-producing states and described agriculture as the backbone of the state’s economy.
“Nasarawa State continues to be a state of agriculture. That is why if we become number one in the Value Chain Development Programme, it will not be a surprise,” he said.
He explained that the state government decided to support the VCDP because of its focus on the entire agricultural value chain, from production to processing and marketing.
“In agriculture, post-harvest losses are a serious problem. It is very important to look at the complete value chain, and that is exactly what this programme is doing,” the governor noted.
He added that the state would continue to support small-scale farmers to become more productive and economically independent.
Also speaking at the event, the National Programme Coordinator of the FGN/IFAD VCDP, Fatima Aliyu, said the distribution of inputs was aimed at helping farmers cultivate enough food to meet the needs of the growing population.
She explained that the programme covers several local government areas in Nasarawa State, including Lafia, Doma, Nasarawa, Wamba, and Karu.
According to her, the initiative would ease the burden on farmers, improve productivity, and help them carry out their daily farming activities more efficiently.
Aliyu commended farmers for their commitment to the programme, especially their willingness to attend training sessions and adopt new technologies that have improved their output.
She also highlighted the inclusive nature of the VCDP, noting that people with disabilities are active participants in the programme.
“The VCDP is all-inclusive. We have people with disabilities who are part of this programme. Today, some of them will receive these inputs,” she said.
Aliyu revealed that the programme operates on a matching grant basis, where beneficiaries also contribute financially.
“It will interest you to know that people with disabilities contributed a matching grant of N1.5 million. This shows their level of commitment and trust in the programme,” she added.
Earlier, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Agriculture, Tanko Tunga, said farmers in the state have benefited greatly from the VCDP through access to improved inputs, modern farming practices, better processing equipment, and stronger market linkages.
He said the inputs being distributed would further strengthen cooperation among farmer groups and improve efficiency in production, processing, and marketing.
Tunga thanked the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, IFAD, and other stakeholders for their continued support, which he said has helped to improve yields and farmers’ incomes in the state.
In her remarks, the State Programme Coordinator of the FGN/IFAD VCDP, Eunice Adgidz, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the Nasarawa State Government for their consistent support since the programme began in the state.
She pledged that the state team would continue to work hard to ensure farmers receive the support they need to increase production, fight hunger, and guarantee food security.
