From Shuaibu Zubair Tatu, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi State Governor, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, who is also the Vice-Chairman of the National Food Security Council (NFSC), has explained that no fewer than 382,208 farmers affected by flood in 2020, across the country, will get free farm inputs provided by the federal government .
Bagudu made the disclosure at Birnin Kebbi Tuesday at the flag-off of the national distribution of free farm inputs.
Bagudu, who is also the Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, enumerated the items for distribution to include assorted seedlings, pumping machines, agrochemicals, sprayers and related inputs.
The governor also said that those engaged in livestock production will benefit from the gesture of the federal government through NEMA.
Bagudu stated that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), assisted by other partners, had already registered all the beneficiaries.
He explained: “For the first time, President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the Chairman of the Council, has approved the provision of insurance covers for the beneficiaries.
“All the beneficiaries will henceforth be insured hence, they don’t need future support in case of any flood eventualities”.
He further underscored the importance of insurance covers, saying it will help reduce the burden.
Bagudu also disclosed that, President Buhari has mandated the Federal Ministries of Transport, Water Resources and Environment, to come up with a National Drainage Architecture Roadmap on the control of flooding to prevent threat to food security.
“Happily, this is also in the bid to reduce the perennial devastating effects of flood on the economy.
While lauding Buhari for the unparalleled gesture, Bagudu reiterated the commitment of the council to continue to support farmers and other agro-allied and food processing industries.
Doing so, he said, was to further bolster food security in the country as being championed by the president.
Bagudu commended NEMA for being in the forefront in disaster management and mitigation.
Also speaking, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Saadiya Umar Faruk, said that the occasion signifies the commencement of a major landmark effort by the federal government to support persons affected by the 2020 flood disaster.
She added: “Today’s event is a culmination of a follow up commitment to the initial emergency relief items distributed to the affected persons in the aftermath of the 2020 floods.
“This intervention was approved to provide emergency agricultural inputs specifically to further support farmers that lost their crops as a result of the destruction of their farmlands and the cutting off of access to croplands during the flood disaster.
“The unfortunate flood incident resulted in the displacement of several communities, damage to infrastructure, destruction of crop lands and widespread environmental dislocation.
“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, in response to the incidence activated NEMA to conduct detailed assessment of the situations and make recommendation for intervention.
Also speaking, the Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Habib Ahmed, commended Governor Bagudu for embarking on the agricultural transformation which facilitated the attainment of self sufficiency in food production in the state and Nigeria.
He appreciated the doggedness and unflinching commitment of the President for placing priority and supporting small scale farmers.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Kebbi State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Maigari Abdullahi Dakingari, expressed gratitude to federal government for the intervention to Kebbi farmers, saying that the development is commendable.
One of the female beneficiaries, Farida Shehu, thanked the federal government for coming to their aid, assuring that they would use the inputs judiciously.
Malan Shehu Fari Jega, another beneficiary, expressed appreciation to the President and Governor Atiku for the support which according to him, would motivate them to improve production.
