The federal government has trained and distributed farm inputs to at least 243 farmers in Plateau to boost agricultural production and ensure food security.

The inputs distributed to the trained farmers included liquid fertilisers, Knapsack sprayers, seeds, agrochemicals, and fish and poultry feeds.

While unveiling the distribution in Jos, Temitope Fadashemi, the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), said it was part of the government’s conscious efforts to reduce poverty.

Mr Fadashemi, represented by the state coordinator, FMAFS, Steve Dowoh, said the intention was to uplift the lives of smallholder farmers and foster sustainable agricultural practices.

The permanent secretary said the initiative was executed under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS).

“I am delighted to remind you that the NPRGS, in collaboration with the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Service (FDAE), has diligently enumerated and validated approximately 243 farmers for participation in this transformative programme.

“We are equipping these farmers with the tools to enhance productivity, improve resilience, and embrace sustainable practices,” he said.

Samson Bugama, Plateau Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, urged beneficiaries to utilise federal and state government interventions in the agricultural sector to boost production and guarantee food security.

Mr Bugama, who declared who launched the training and distribution, said the gesture was an opportunity for farmers to contribute to national poverty reduction.

“We are close to a junction where, if we cannot feed ourselves, we will eat ourselves; it is my prayer that we will never get to that kind of level in Nigeria.

“We must utilise whatever is within us or has been provided for us to be able to feed, or at least take a step in food security,” he said.

Ishaku Jelamsem, programme manager, Plateau Agricultural Development Programme (PADP), promised to provide technical assistance to the beneficiaries and strict monitoring of their farms to ensure judicious utilisation of the inputs.

The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the federal government for the intervention.

(NAN)