The federal government on Monday commenced the distribution of subsidised farm inputs to farmers in Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State.

Ernest Afolabi, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, disclosed this at the inauguration of the distribution to farmers in the ATASP-1 States of Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Niger and Sokoto.

Represented by the Director, Planning and Policy Coordination, Tanimu Ibrahim, Mr Afolabi said the ceremony marked the commencement of the 2023 delivery of subsidised inputs to about 60,000 farmers in the participating states.

He said the programme was inaugurated in March 2015 to improve food and nutrition security, attract private-sector investment in agriculture, reduce post-harvest losses, and add value to local agricultural produce.

“Under the Commodity Value Chain Development component, the FGN, through the ministry, has been supporting farmers with critical production inputs.

“This is with a view to increasing the level of transparency, accountability and efficiency in the input delivery process,” Mr Afolabi said.

He explained that this year, the federal government approved the introduction and use of an ICT platform to deliver inputs to farmers, making the programme a very notable one.

The permanent secretary reiterated the present administration’s commitment to enhancing agricultural production in the country.

In his remarks, Governor Abba Yusuf said the initiative was very timely.

Mr Yusuf, represented by his deputy, Aminu Gwarzo, reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing affordable avenues for farmers to access soft loans from credible financial institutions to enhance food security.

Earlier, chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kano State chapter, Faruk Mudi, assured that the farmers would make judicious use of their inputs to produce assorted food crops.

(NAN)