Federal Government issues warning against unauthorized sale and diversion of dry season farming inputs

The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to farmers, cautioning them against the sale or diversion of dry season farming inputs allocated for the year 2023.

Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, delivered this message during the official launch of the 2023 dry season wheat development season under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and AgroPocket (NAGS-AP) Project in Jigawa State. He highlighted that dry season farming is an integral part of the national agricultural growth initiative, facilitated by a $134 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Sen. Kyari emphasized the government’s commitment to expanding farmers’ capacity, enabling them to cultivate essential crops like rice, maize, cassava, and wheat throughout the country. He noted that farmers receive substantial support with a 50% input subsidy aimed at reducing food inflation and decreasing Nigeria’s reliance on foreign imports while promoting domestic consumption.

Encouraging farmers to utilize the provided support effectively, Sen. Kyari stated, “You will be monitored from planting up to the time of harvest; we want to see you in the field, not to take the input to markets.”

To ensure compliance, the Minister directed the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies to closely monitor the distribution of agricultural products, preventing any diversion or subversive activities that could undermine the success of the program.