The gesture is in line with ongoing federal government’s efforts to ensure food security for Nigerians while empowering the people.
The input distribution is aimed at assisting farmers across the country to maximize crop cultivation for improved yields and increased food production.
Accredited beneficiaries of the empowerment programme received a NALDA branded bag containing maize seeds for Lagos, beans, seeds for Nasarawa, herbicides, Pesticides, Fungicides and fertilizer. Each pack, if properly planted and properly maintained till harvest, can yield up to six tons of produce for each farmer.
Biometrics of the beneficiaries were also captured on their farms to ensure comprehensive data base of farmers and also ensure that only genuine farmers benefit.
In Lagos state, 500 beneficiaries from Lagos East Senatorial District consisting of Epe, Ibeju/Lekki, Ikorodu, Agbowa, Imota and others got the empowerment package.
For Nasarawa State, 500 farmers drawn from across the state benefited from the distribution exercise, which took place at the Emir’s Palace in Lafia, the state capital.
The Chief Executive Officer/ Executive Secretary of NALDA, Prince Paul Ikone, in his address at the Lagos event said the partnership with Senator Abiru is in accordance with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on agriculture development and food security.
Ikonne who was represented by the agency’s Information Communications Technology, ICT Director, Mr. Chima Onuha, enjoined the beneficiaries to put the inputs to good use for the good of their families and the nation as a whole.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Owolabi Odulaja, while thanking NALDA for the gesture, said it would go a long way in tackling poverty.
“This initiative will help the people to tackle poverty. We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and NALDA for this great support at this challenging economic period.”
Speaking during the distribution exercise in Nasarawa State, the Emir of Lafia and the chairman of Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, Justice Sidi Muhammed (Rtd) lauded the federal government for the initiative.
He said the gesture would go a long way in boosting the economy of the state while urging the beneficiaries to utilise the opportunity.
“If the federal government is saying that we are giving you this for free without you dipping hands in your pockets to pay for it, then people must take advantage of it.”
The Emir further assured the Federal Government of the State’s support in its policies.
It would be recalled that President Tinubu had declared a state of emergency on food hence the move by NALDA to compliment the President’s food security efforts through empowerment programmes to cushion the effect of high cost of living.
The empowerment of farmers by NALDA is a continuous exercise to encourage more Nigerians to go into farming to ensure self-sufficiency in food production, thus boosting food security for the teeming population.