The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning have empowered 250 farmers to boost agricultural production in Bauchi State.
Mr Temitope Fashedemi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, stated this at the opening ceremony of a one-day training and distribution of farm inputs to 250 farmers on Thursday in Bauchi.
He said the collaboration between the two federal ministries was a conscious effort at reducing the spate of poverty across the country.
“The level of poverty in Nigeria is alarming. An estimated population of 88.4 million people in Nigeria are living in extreme poverty,” he said.
The permanent secretary, represented by Mr Daniel Abarshi, State Coordinator of the ministry in Bauchi, said the initiative was under the Federal Government’s National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS).
“Today marks a significant milestone in our collective commitment to uplifting the lives of our smallholder farmers and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
“The NPRGS in collaboration with the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Service (FDAE) has diligently enumerated and validated approximately 250 farmers for participation in this transformative programme.
“These farmers are not just the backbone of our agricultural sector; they form the heartbeat of our nation’s prosperity.
“The NPRGS reflects our government’s dedication to addressing poverty at its roots, emphasising the pivotal role agriculture plays in economic growth and development,” Fashedemi said.
He explained that through initiatives of training and empowerment programmes, they were sowing the seeds of positive change.
“We are ensuring that smallholder farmers have the knowledge, resources and support needed to thrive in an ever-evolving agricultural landscape.
“This programme is not merely an investment in agriculture; it is an investment in the future of our nation.
“As we equip these farmers with the tools to enhance productivity, improve resilience, and embrace sustainable practices, we are laying the foundation for a more resilient and prosperous agricultural sector,” the permanent secretary said.
