The federal government has launched a nationwide farmers’ data audit and registry to eliminate “briefcase farmers” and to ensure that only genuine farmers benefit directly from agricultural interventions.

The Minister of State of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, disclosed this in Kaduna at a technical session of the Government-Citizens’ Engagement Forum, organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation.

He said the data-driven initiative was part of efforts to address the food crisis inherited by the current administration and to lay the foundation for rural prosperity.

Mr Abdullahi said, “Our priority is simple: ramp up production, reduce food prices, and ensure equitable access to support.’’

The minister reaffirmed that the declaration of a state of emergency on food security by President Bola Tinubu remained in effect, as the government continued to implement targeted actions.

Mr Abdullahi said the agro pocket initiative had cultivated over 133,000 hectares of wheat across 15 northern states, surpassing the 130,000-hectare target, with Jigawa State alone accounting for more than 50,000 hectares.

He added that a plan targeting 44,500 rice producers was underway, supported by extension services to address the farmer-extension ratio of 1 to 25,000.

On mechanisation, the minister said the government had launched 2,000 Belarusian tractors and 9,000 implements to enhance productivity.

He said the Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZs) were being developed to improve market access and support value addition, enabling farmers to earn higher incomes.

Mr Abdullahi disclosed that research institutes had released improved crop varieties, including tomato strains resistant to the destructive “tomato Ebola.”

In the livestock sector, he highlighted ongoing efforts to establish grazing reserves, livestock villages, and transit shelters and formulate a national dairy policy.

The minister also said three major dams, Nwabi Yashin, Nwape, and Amla, had been completed, unlocking 2,700 hectares for irrigation, while mini-hydro projects would provide off-grid power to farming communities.

“We are not only responding to today’s needs; we are laying the foundation for future resilience by reclaiming university farmlands, training youth and women, and reforming agricultural systems,” Mr Abdullahi said.

He urged northern leaders to stand against impostors manipulating government support systems.

“We must discredit such people. The time to act is now,” he said.

The ‘Agriculture and Food Security Team’ at the event was led by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security.

Other key members of the delegation included the Minister of Livestock Development, the Minister of Environment and the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation.

Others were the chairman of the Livestock Development Committee; the secretary of the committee; the executive secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund; and the national coordinator of the Special Agro-Processing Zones Programme.

During the session, the minister of state for agriculture delivered a detailed presentation outlining ongoing government efforts to address food insecurity, support rural communities, and modernise the agricultural sector.

He emphasised the collaborative role of all the ministries and agencies involved in achieving the administration’s goals.

(NAN)