Farmers tackle NAMDA, Niger Foods over inputs supply scheme

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

Small and Medium Scale Farmers Association in Niger state has expressed dismay over alleged mischief and deceitful action of Niger State Agricultural Mechanization Agency (NAMDA) in collaboration with Niger Foods, who supply farm inputs to medium scale farmers of their credit scheme
In a press statement signed by the Association’s chairman, Usman Kwatu and Secretary Ismaila Yahaya Aliu, and made available to journalists in Minna, said they have lost confidence in the two organizations.
Kwatu emphasized that despite all the necessary conditions stipulated by NAMDA even before the farm inputs were acquired, the Small and Medium Scale Farmers Association we’re denied the 2024 credit scheme which they described as not only a gimmick but a sham.
The statement added that NAMDA entered into partnership with Niger Foods just as it entered into agreement with Small and Medium Scale Farmers Association as well as the Large Scale Farmers to boost agriculture and ensure food security inline with the present administration’s agenda at both state and federal levels but was disappointed.
It added that the associations demands include; refund of their equity with interest, paying them for time lost after three months waiting for NAMDA and now raining season is gone, urging for agricultural policy review to accommodate Small and Medium Scale Farmers.
Others are calling on government to make acquisition of farm inputs less cumbersome to allowed SMSF to apply and charged on the state government to investigate NAMDA and Niger Foods alleged scam flag off that portray the state government in bad light.