The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kaduna State chapter, in partnership with key agricultural stakeholders, is set to inaugurate a dry season sorghum farming programme aimed at boosting food security in the state.

The initiative also seeks to improve the livelihoods of AFAN members across Kaduna State.

Nuhu Aminu, chairman AFAN, Kaduna chapter, told journalists in Zaria on Sunday that the pilot phase of the programme would support 300 farmers.

He said the beneficiaries would receive high-yielding sorghum varieties suitable for dry season cultivation, adding that the number of the participants would be expanded in subsequent years.

In a related development, Mr Aminu said the association was collaborating with the Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria to support the beneficiaries of the federal government’s 2025 dry season farming intervention.

According to him, the intervention offers a full input package for cultivating one hectare, with farmers required to pay only 50 per cent of the cost.

“The beneficiaries, who are mostly peasant farmers, will have the remaining 50 per cent subsidised by the federal government,” he said.

Mr Aminu, however, expressed concern over reports that some individuals were illegally collecting N9,000 from the farmers under the guise of enrollment for the programme.

He stressed that beneficiaries were not required to pay any fee to access the intervention, warning that AFAN would take the necessary punitive action against those involved in the extortion.

(NAN)