NIGERIA. Niger State: The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has begun the distribution of farm seeds to over 32,557 farmers ravaged by the 2020 flood disaster in Niger.
The Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Ahmed, commenced the distribution of the inputs to the affected persons in Minna.
He pointed out that the agency decided to start the distribution of the relief materials in Niger state because it was among the worst states hit by a flood in 2020.
“It could be flashback that in the 2020 flood disaster, NEMA staff were sent to the field, even communities affected by flood and other places in Niger for assessments, to confirm a damage and loss evaluation”, Ahmed noted.
Ahmed also added that 32, 557 farmers were confirmed and enrolled to profit from the Federal Government’s Agricultural Inputs Intervention for the state.
Items Distributed
Some of the items to be allocated include; 81, 390 litres of herbicides, 48, 834 litres of pesticides, 68, 944 litres of growth enhancer, 6, 278 bags of rice which are 12.5kg and 16, 278 bags of maize.
Others items distributed include, 2, 252 units of water pump, 8, 139 units Sprayers, 22, 450 bags of NPK fertiliser and 16, 278 bags of Cowpea.
Ahmed stated that in addition to the itemized goods, six trucks carrying 5,007 bags of 50kg NPK 20-10-10 fertiliser would be sent as a balance for the fertilizer allocated for the state.
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The NEMA Director General appreciated the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari, for prioritising support to small scale farmers.
Speaking during the event, the Niger state Governor, Abubakar Sani-Bello, applauded the President’s attention to the farmers in the state.
Bello who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso stated that the government would set up a committee to overlook the beneficiaries to ensure judicious use of the items given to them.
