ARGUNGU, KEBBI – In a bold push to deepen national food security and fast-track year-round farming, the Federal Government has empowered 31 farmers’ groups in Kebbi State with modern agricultural inputs aimed at driving bumper harvests across the country.
The intervention, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, was unveiled during a colourful distribution ceremony in Argungu Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, said the initiative aligns with the ministry’s mandate to provide sustained support to farmers and boost productivity nationwide.
Represented by the ministry’s Director of Cooperatives, Dr. Mohammed Bashir Abdulkadir, the minister described the programme—tagged “Inputs Distribution for All-Year-Round Farming”—as a strategic step toward achieving food sufficiency.
Kyari noted that smallholder farmers account for nearly 95 per cent of Nigeria’s farming population, describing them as the backbone of the nation’s food system. He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the equipment and inputs to maximize yields and improve performance.
“With sustained access to modern farm inputs, farmers’ morale will rise, harvests will increase, and Nigeria will not only feed its citizens but expand exports,” he said.
The State Coordinator of the ministry in Kebbi, Dr. Ari Mohammed Abdulrazak, disclosed that the beneficiaries include farmers’ unions representing women, youths, and persons with special needs. He emphasized that the intervention is designed to promote inclusiveness and ensure continuous farming activities throughout the year.
The distributed items include liquid organic fertilizer, rice distillers, food dehydrators, maize threshers, multi-purpose threshers, knapsack sprayers, solar water pumps, and smoke liners—all tailored to enhance productivity and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
In separate remarks, the Secretaries of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Bello Kalgo, and the KADAGE Women Farmers Association, Hajiya Fatima Abubakar, commended the Federal Government for what they described as timely and impactful support.
They said the intervention would rekindle farmers’ confidence, especially after losses recorded in previous farming seasons, and encourage many to return fully to their farms.
Traditional leadership also lent its voice in support of the programme.
The Emir of Argungu, represented by the Majidadi, Alhaji Samaila Yakubu, applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the agriculture minister for the initiative, describing it as a lifeline for farmers and a catalyst for economic revival in rural communities.
He, however, cautioned beneficiaries against misuse of the equipment, stressing that the gesture must translate into improved livelihoods and strengthened food security in Kebbi and beyond.
With agriculture once again taking center stage in the national development agenda, stakeholders say the Kebbi intervention signals a renewed commitment to transforming Nigeria’s food production chain—from subsistence to surplus.
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