No fewer than 10, 000 farmers have benefited from provision of farm inputs through the Nasarawa State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (N-CARES).
Thirteen tractors were also distributed to the 13 local government areas of the state under the initiative.
Governor Abdullahi Sule who flagged off the distribution of the inputs in Lafia, said the measures were aimed at boosting agricultural production for food security and value-chain addition in the state and the country.
The state government had earlier distributed farm inputs including herbicides, fertilizer and sesame seeds, among others to support farmers on dry season farming.
He said; “This occasion is in furtherance of our sustained commitment to ensure full exploitation of our potentials in the agricultural sector. In this connection, the government is not just providing assets to conventional farmers to invest in the farm and processing, but also making an effort to ensure that small scale farmers are not left out.
“It is pertinent to state that out of the 10,000 farm inputs to be distributed, the government set aside 1,500 for the livestock farmers in order to support their growth. This is in line with our desire to ensure inclusivity and agricultural growth and prosperity.
“Concomitant to this, the N-CARES is providing 8,500 of 4kg improved variety of maize seeds, fertilizer and herbicides to conventional farmers, while livestock farmers will be provided improved varieties of cattle feeds, mineral salt and de-wormers for the realisation of our food security policy.”
He said beyond agriculture, N-CARES had engaged in other projects and programmes that have direct bearing on the lives of citizens.
“These projects are not just executed, but given close monitoring to ensure smooth realisation which resulted in the rating of the state as the best performing state in the implementation of the NG-CARES programme by the World Bank.”