The Federal Government has initiated a program to provide small-scale farmers in Niger State with mechanised farming tools and equipment. This effort is a key part of its strategy to lower the high cost of agricultural inputs for smallholder farmers across the nation.
During the flag-off ceremony for the distribution of the farming equipment in Minna, the Minister of Agriculture, Aliyu Abdullahi Sabi, stated that the initiative is a direct reflection of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
It also supports the state of emergency on food security that was declared in July 2023. Minister Sabi described the program as a crucial short-term plan designed to alleviate the financial burden on farmers by reducing input costs. He reiterated the government’s firm commitment to increasing food production, generating employment opportunities, and ensuring that food remains affordable for all Nigerians.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, who presided over the distribution event, praised President Tinubu for his ongoing support of the agricultural sector. He emphasized that the Federal Government’s all-year-round farming initiative would serve as a significant encouragement to local farmers, enhance national food security, and complement the state’s own agricultural development strategy.
Governor Bago also announced ambitious future plans, including a pilot scheme set to begin in 2026 that will engage two million women in agriculture to help transition them out of poverty. Furthermore, he revealed plans to establish the Cooperative Bank of Niger with an initial capital of two billion naira, dedicated solely to agriculture, which aims to ease access to credit and reduce the burden of high interest rates for farmers.
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cc: Daily Post NG
