The federal government through Nigerian Agricultural Gross Enhancement Scheme Programme (NAGAP) has assisted no fewer than thirteen thousand wheat farmers in Kebbi State with farm-inputs for wheat dry-season farming in the state.
State coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture And Food Security Birnin Kebbi, Dr Ari Muhammed Abdulaziz disclosed this to Newsmen in his office in Birnin Kebbi.
Ari further stated that the beneficiaries were drawn from the 12 riverine local government areas of Kebbi State which include Argungu, Augie, Bagudo, Bunza, Suru, Yauri and Shanga among others.
According to him, the NAGAP programme is to provide inputs to farmers as part of the Present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu agricultural policy to address food insecurity in the country.
The coordinator also said the programme is all year round for both the wet and dry season farming in which the wet season farming has been completed and the first phase for the dry season is now Commenced.
He however dispelled the allegations of diversion of inputs and take- up grants to beneficiaries by the federal government noting that there was a disparity in terms of fees which each farmer will pay 50 per cent of whatever package he/she received and the then federal government will take a burden of 50 per cent.
Ari made it clear that there was a slight change in the mode of delivery and fee collection whereas those who benefited from with the wheat seeds will pay N74,000 to given 3- bags of fertiliser only and those who paid N111,000 were given 3- bags fertiliser together with 50 kilograms of wheat seeds.
While contacting the state chairman of Rice and Wheat Farmers Association, Comrade Yusuf Gabi Argungu said the leadership of the association is satisfied with the manner in which the federal government supplied the commodities the payments incurred.
Gabi Argungu however assured that the support by the federal government will surely assist food production in the state.
He called on the beneficiaries to use the support for the purpose it was being given.
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