FG ready to battle round-tripping of agro Inputs, data validation

The Federal Government ( FG) has announced it is ready to fight round-tripping of farm inputs and poor validation of farmers’ data in the ongoing dry season farming in few states of the federation.

This was disclosed last week Friday during the visit of the Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar Namadi to the two ministers of Agriculture.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Federal  Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( FMAFS) Sen. Abubakar Kyari assured Nigerians that the FG would irrevocably implement stringent measures in the forthcoming dry/wet season farming for rice, maize and cassava with   transparent distribution of inputs to genuine farmers.

Kyari promised that the issue of exploitation of farmers through inputs is one battle the government would squarely confront through appropriate data collection of farmers for direct distribution adding that collaboration with states, local Government, traditional rulers, non-governmental organisations(NGOs) and relevant Ministries,Departments and Agencies(MDs) would be crucial in achieving the desired objective.

According to him “ It is imperative for us to tackle some of the challenges observed and ensure that they do not impede our agricultural development agenda. These challenges include reported cases of round-tripping in conniver with agro-dealers and poor validation of farmers’ data in parts of the participating states"

The minister sought the support of all stakeholders in the sector to overcome the challenges and ensure a successful intervention in the face of constraints.

He however announced that the second phase of the dry/wet season farming intervention would start this month, while reiterating his resolve to make it a success through the use of modern technologies and mechanization.

“I will like to reiterate that the Ministry is fully aligned to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.We are poised to implement our programmes in line with his vision for the agricultural sector.We are determined to drive agricultural transformation, enhancing productivity, and ensuring that our farmers have the necessary support to thrive. Our goal also includes ensuring food security and driving down food inflation.”

Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar Namadi, said the State has cultivated 36,700 hectares of wheat farming while effort is on top gear to update farmers' data with engagement of 104 extension agents for proper technologies transfer to farmers for food sufficient commercial production.

 Recalled that the FG had recently flagged-off the 2023/2024 dry deason farming at the Kadume farm cluster in Hadeija Local Government Area of Jigawa State.