Food Security: Sokoto empowers 1,180 farmers with financial literacy, inputs, processing equipment

*The Sokoto State Government of Nigeria begins distribution of fertilizers, inputs, and agric processing equipment, including milling and grinding machines, fertilizers, improved variety seeds, pesticides to 1,180 farmers under the scheme

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

In a bid to increase the beneficiaries’ agricultural investments to improve their wellbeing and ensure food security, the Sokoto State Government of Nigeria has begun the distribution of fertilizers, inputs, and agric processing equipment to 1,180 farmers under the NG-CARES scheme.

Alhaji Sama’ila Mera, Emir of Argungu, at the weekend inaugurated the distribution exercise as part of activities lined up to celebrate Gov. Ahmad Aliyu’s 100 days in office, agency report said.

Mera commended the Sokoto State Government’s commitment, and urged the beneficiaries to utilise the items on increased investments to improve their wellbeing.

Objectives of NG-CARES programme

ConsumerConnect reports the NG-CARES programme is a $750-million state-driven initiative supported by the World Bank.

The programme, which is being implemented under the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), seeks to elevate businesses affected by the damaging COVID-19 pandemic and expand access to livelihood support.

It also seeks to provide improved access to food security services and financial grants to poor and vulnerable households.

Sokoto State has remitted N2.4bn counterpart fund for NG-CARES -Governor

The state governor disclosed that the state government had paid N2.4 billion counterpart contribution to the programme, and commended the World Bank and the Federal Government for the initiative designed to improve the wellbeing of the people.

The beneficiaries comprised all categories of farmers selected from the 23 local government areas of the state, including youths and women groups, stated he.

Aliyu also listed the items to include milling and grinding machines, fertilisers, improved variety seeds, pesticides, goats, sheep, chicks, among others.

The governor further said that the agricultural scheme was in line with his administration Nine-point Agenda, and encouraged small-scale traders in the state to do their businesses in a manner that would be productive.

Alhaji Muhammad Wamakko, Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, said the farmers were exposed to financial literacy, saving techniques and cooperatives.

Wamakko stated: “The training is also about skills acquisition, entrepreneurship development, micro enterprise and management.”