From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
In support of the food security and agriculture mechanisation drive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, Vice President Kashim Shettima has flagged off an empowerment scheme to assist farmers in the country.
The scheme, Kashim Shettima Foundation’s Agricultural Empowerment Programme, launched in Kaduna State at the weekend, heralded the commencement of distribution of tractors, seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, and other essential farming inputs to beneficiary farmers for the 2024 farming season.
The Vice President 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, VP Shettima 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.
In his address, the VP 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.
“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,” he stated.
The Vice President 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the challenges facing the agricultural sector, including input shortages, lack of access to finance, conflicts, and outdated practices leading to low productivity.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, he 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.
Senator Shettima pledged to cultivate 500 hectares of land through the programme and provide financial support to beneficiaries and farmer cooperatives to establish commercial farms.
He noted: “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.”
