Mr Temitope Fadeshemi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, estimates that 88.4 million Nigerians live in severe poverty.
Fadeshemi stated this on Wednesday in Kaduna, while distributing agriculture supplies to 250 smallholder farmers.
The permanent secretary, who was represented by the director of the ministry’s Department of Extension Services, Bashir Abdulkadir, stated that the gestures were made to farmers as part of the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS).
According to him, the event represented a key milestone in the Federal Government’s collaborative commitment to improving the lives of smallholder farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural methods.
He said:
“The level of poverty in Nigeria is alarming. An estimated population of 88.4 million people in Nigeria is living in extreme poverty.
“The number of men living on less than 1.90 U.S. dollars a day in the country reached around 44.7 million, while the count was at 43.7 million for women.
“Overall, 12.9 percent of the global population in extreme poverty was found in Nigeria as of 2022.
“I am delighted to remind you that 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 are the heartbeat that forms the heartbeat of our nation’s prosperity.
“The NPRGS reflects our government’s dedication to addressing poverty at its roots, emphasizing the pivotal role agriculture plays in economic growth and development.
“Through initiatives like today’s training and empowerment programme, we are sowing the seeds of positive change, ensuring that smallholder farmers have the knowledge, resources, and support needed to thrive in an ever-evolving agricultural landscape.”
cc: Daily Post Ng
