The inputs are for cluster farmers, not for area council, says Agric Minister

 

The Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( FMAFS) Sen. Abdullahi Sabi has cleared the air over the ownership of inputs brought as part of the program to mark the World Food Day at Buhari area council of the FCT, saying the inputs are for the cluster farmers only. Sabi said this to clear the controversy that may have ensued between the areas council and the El' Rufai cluster farmers in the process of inputs distribution after his departure.

 The visit to El -Rufia cluster farm by the Minister and other stakeholders including the journalists was part of a program meant to showcase the impact of the Federal Government's support to food security through an organized farming model like this in Bwari. 

Sen. Sabi emphasized that the inputs brought are meant for farmers who were participants in El Rufai cluster farm, and not for general farmers at the Bwari local government council. 

He said that " The inputs belong to the farmers of this cluster. They are the ones who need these resources to cultivate their land effectively" Sabi who expressed deep concerns about how Agricutural inputs were being distributed expressed emphatically that the resources are exclusively for the cluster farmers and not for the Bwari Area Council.

 This Minister's clarification had played a crucial role in calming tensions among cluster farmers who feared the political game that could have happened if the inputs' owners are not well spelt out according our finding. 

The Minister however highlighted the importance of empowering farmers directly, stating that " The inputs belong to the farmers of this cluster; they are the ones who need these resources to cultivate their land effectively" El'Rufia cluster farm serves as an example of cooperative farming where farmers collaborate to enhance productivity through shared resources and knowledge. 

This model has been pivoted to improving agricultural outcomes, particularly in regions facing challenges like climate change and economic difficulties. The Minister also discussed broader government initiatives aimed at bolstering agricultural productivity and food security, stressed that sustainable farming practices and the integration of modern technology in agriculture are very imperitive. “Our government is dedicated to investing in programs that not only enhance food production, but also promote practices that protect our environment,” he noted.