Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has distributed inputs to 2000 farmers for dry season wheat farming in Niger.
Gatekeepers News reports that the scheme is under National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP).
Mr Ishaku Buba, National Project Officer of NAGS-AP, disclosed the scheme during distribution for the 2024/2025 in Garafini and Swashi communities in Borgu.
The scheme which is under National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP) had taken off on 2,000 hectares of land in the two communities using mechanised farming methods.
Buba represented by Musaku Emmanuel noted that the initiative was a collaborative effort aimed at making the country self-sufficient in wheat production.
He said, “This initiative is expected to improve the living conditions of the community and address the shortfall of wheat production in the country.”
“SMK Nigeria Limited provides the farmers with NPK and Urea fertilisers as well as certified and improved seeds of wheat.”
Buba noted that the initiative was part of Federal Government’s effort to boost wheat production in the country.
Alhaji Adamu Jibril, District Head of Garafini who is also a wheat farmer thanked
federal government for the gesture, noting that it would improve wheat production and livelihoods in the community.
He said, “This initiative is aimed at improving the livelihoods of my subjects, and creating a sustainable economy.”
Samaila Isamil, a farmer also noted that With modern techniques, farming techniques have advanced from peasant form to mechanised form with the likes of tractors and planters enhancing productivity.
He said, “In the past, we used to get half a tonne per hectare, but now we can get three tonnes per hectare, which is 30 bags of wheat.”
Isamil added that with the scheme, wheat importation would be eradicated in the country.
He noted that the support farmers received would encourage more of them to embrace wheat farming.
