Vice President Kashim Shettima has flagged off an empowerment scheme to assist farmers in the country to support the food security and agriculture mechanisation drive of the President Bola Tinubu government.
The scheme, Kashim Shettima Foundation’s Agricultural Empowerment Programme, launched in Kaduna State, heralds the commencement of distribution of tractors, seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, and other essential farming inputs to beneficiary farmers for the 2024 farming season.
Shettima described farmers in the country as “the underappreciated heroes who till the soil, sow the seeds, and nourish our nation, to whom we owe a mountain of appreciation for putting the county first, come rain or shine,” noting that it is their unwavering commitment that sustains the country.
Speaking during the launch of the empowerment programme in Kaduna, the Vice President said the gesture is in honour of the nation’s resilient farmers, assuring that the Tinubu administration will take action to unlock the nation’s agricultural potential and provide essential support to farmers.
He emphasised the crucial role of agriculture in Nigeria’s economy, highlighting its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and its significance as the primary employer for millions of citizens.
According to him: “Agriculture has always been a strong pillar of Nigeria’s economy, contributing one out of every five US Dollars to our GDP and providing livelihoods and sustenance for 36% of the labour force”.
Shettima outlined the challenges facing the agricultural sector, including input shortages, lack of access to finance, conflicts, and outdated practices leading to low productivity.
Despite these hurdles, the Vice President however recognized Kaduna State’s agricultural potential, emphasizing the need for intervention to boost productivity and empower farmers.
He explained that the Kashim Shettima Foundation’s Agricultural Empowerment Programme aims to support farmers in Kaduna by providing farming inputs, technical guidance, and financial empowerment.
Shettima pledged to cultivate 500 hectares of land through the programme and provide financial support to beneficiaries and farmer cooperatives to establish commercial farms.
His words: “Through this initiative, I commit to supporting the cultivation of 500 hectares of land in Kaduna through the provision of farming inputs which are seed-applied, soil-applied and foliar applied alongside technical direction, extension and good agronomic practices support to beneficiaries of this initiative.
“Financial empowerment will also be provided to the tune of 100 thousand Naira per month to each of the 50 beneficiaries for 4 months which covers the planting period, after which farmer cooperatives (comprising 50 farmers) will be given startup funds of up to 30 million Naira to establish full-fledged commercial farms”.
He also restated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving agriculture in Nigeria through various policies and programmes aimed at enhancing food security and economic growth like the “recent directives to release 42,000 metric tons of grains from strategic reserves and reduce the cost of agricultural inputs by 93% through subsidies, to improve food security.”
The Vice President commended the efforts of the Kaduna State Government and private sector partners in driving targeted policy formulation and implementation across the agricultural value chain.
Earlier in his speech, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State declared his administration’s support to the initiative and expressed gratitude to the Vice President for honouring the state to pilot the project.
Represented by the state Deputy Governor, Dr Sabuwa Balarabe, Governor Sani, emphasised that Kaduna State identified with the initiative and would do all it could to support its implementation.
He said: “You have demonstrated that you are not just our leader but you are a friend of Kaduna. You have been extending a hand of friendship, whether during difficult times or at times like this, and we are indeed very grateful”.
On his part, Malam Murtala Dabo, Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, said the scheme is a beacon of hope for the youths, a catalyst for economic growth, and part of a solution to the multifaceted challenges facing the agricultural sector.
Also, Chairman of Kashim Shettima Foundation, Baba Kachallah explained that the initiative would take off with the provision of 10 tractors, adding that 50 farmers per state would be trained to become full-fledged agropreneurs and that they will be provided with land, fertilizer, sprayers, planters, pesticides, herbicides, seeds and working capital ahead of the beginning of the rainy season.
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
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