In a bid to cushion the negative effects of flood disasters that wrecked havoc on the farmers in some communities, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in conjunction with the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has unveiled the distribution of essentials and emergency agricultural inputs to 2,000 onion farmers in four Northern States.
The gesture, which took place simultaneously in some communities in Borno, Yobe, Sokoto and Kebbi States was in line with the â€Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Tinubu meant to put smiles on the faces of the farmers.
BusinessDay reports that each of the beneficiaries went home with four bags of 50kg 15-15 NPK fertilizers, three packs of red and white onion seeds, a package of Insecticides and herbicides chemicals.
Meanwhile, governors of the benefiting States have all commended NADF, pledging continued collaboration with the Federal Government and other agricultural stakeholders to promote agricultural value chain, stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities and reduce poverty.
Flagging off the exercise at the premises of Borno Fertilizer Company Ltd/Farm Centre in Maiduguri, Borno State, Mohammed Ibrahim, Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of NADF, said the intervention was a decisive move by the Federal Government to reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen Nigeria’s food ecosystem.
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Represented by Shettima Gambo Lawan, the Lead/Public Partnerships, the NADF Executive Secretary said, post-harvest losses is one of the most critical challenges undermining agricultural productivity and farmers’ incomes nationwide, hence, the need to come up with such a timely intervention.
He noted that the gesture was the first phase of the programme and it was a testament to the NADF’s unwavering commitment to supporting vulnerable farming communities across Nigeria, particularly those affected by recent flooding and other climate-related shocks.
“This intervention, which directly benefits over 2,000 onion farmers, is a significant step toward recovery. The onion value chain remains one of the strategic agricultural subsectors contributing significantly to livelihoods, nutrition, and rural economic development. Unfortunately, many of our onion farmers have suffered devastating losses due to unprecedented flooding.
“We especially recognise the struggles of farmers in States like Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe, and Borno, who bore the brunt of these disasters. These losses have threatened household incomes, disrupted local markets and impacted national food supply.
“In response, NADF, in collaboration with the State governments and other stakeholders, has designed a targeted emergency intervention aimed at restoring production capacity, strengthening resilience, and ensuring that our farmers can return to their fields without delay.
“This comprehensive Onion Intervention Program begins today with this Input Distribution serving as its crucial first phase. This initiative is fully aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, whose commitment to strengthening the Nigerian agricultural ecosystem has empowered and facilitated crucial interventions like this”, Ibrahim noted.
Declaring the distribution exercise opened, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, represented by Bawu Musami Alhaji, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, commended the Federal Government for the intervention, describing it as a lifeline for smallholder farmers who remain central to food production and security in the State.
He said that 450 Borno onion farmers would benefit from the gesture, while the remaining 1,550 beneficiaries were drawn from other States hitherto affected by the 2024 flood disaster.
“On behalf of Borno State Government and my fellow Governors of Yobe, Sokoto and Kebbi, let us extend our gratitude to the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), for the concern, political will, and financial commitment that gave birth to this timely and impactful intervention.
“This programme is a practical demonstration of responsive governance, one that listens to the cries of farmers, understands the strategic importance of agriculture to national stability, and acts decisively to safeguard Nigeria’s food system”, Governor Zulum said.
