By Gabriel Ewepu, Abuja

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Tuesday, boosted 250 smallholder farmers in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja with agricultural inputs to upscale food production.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Temitope Fadeshemi, in an address of welcome during the opening ceremony of the training and empowerment of verified and validated farmers under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy, NPRGS, at the Agricultural Development Programme, ADP, in Gwagwalada, Abuja, pointed out that the support for smallholder farmers became really necessary to ensure enough food to meet the demands of Nigerians.

Fadeshemi who was represented by the Director, Department of Agricultural Extension Services, Michael Brooks also explained that farmers are not just the backbone of the agricultural sector and heartbeat but also the heartbeat of national prosperity, hence are placed on the front burner under the Tinubu-led ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda.

Meanwhile, according to him, the programme is a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy, NPRGS, which exemplifies the power of synergy in achieving meaningful impact.

He also charged participating farmers to see their role as paramount in shaping the trajectory of the nation’s agricultural success.

The farmers who were crop, poultry and fish farmers received sprayers, pesticides, quality maize, rice and vegetable seeds, fish feeds, poultry feeds, and day-old chicks, which were transparently distributed by the Ministry to the farmers.

The training and empowerment of vulnerable smallholder farmers in the FCT under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy, NPRGS was organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning.

He said: “I am delighted to remind you that the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS), in collaboration with the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Service (FDAE), has diligently enumerated and validated approximately 250 farmers for participation in this transformative programme.

“These farmers are not just the backbone of our agricultural sector; they are the heartbeat that form the heartbeat of our nation’s prosperity.

“The NPRGS reflects our government’s dedication to addressing poverty at its roots, emphasizing the pivotal role agriculture plays in economic growth and development.

“Through initiatives like today’s training and empowerment program, we are sowing the seeds of positive change, ensuring that smallholder farmers have the knowledge, resources, and support needed to thrive in an ever-evolving agricultural landscape.

“This programme is not merely an investment in agriculture; it is an investment in the future of our nation.

“As we equip these farmers with the tools to enhance productivity, improve resilience, and embrace sustainable practices, we are laying the foundation for a more resilient and prosperous agricultural sector.

“In conclusion, let us embrace this opportunity to build a future where smallholder farmers are not just beneficiaries of progress but active contributors to our nation’s growth. With determination, collaboration, and a shared vision, we can transform challenges into opportunities and empower our agricultural sector to lead the way towards a more resilient and prosperous Nigeria.”

Earlier, the Head of Horticulture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Deola Lordbanjou, said the inputs would boost productivity of farmers are distributed free of charge in recognition of the great jobs they are doing, and urged Nigerians to also do backyard farming to ease pressure, and would go a long way to solve the problem of hunger in the land.

Meanwhile, one of the beneficiaries, Oyerinde Elisabeth, expressed joy at the intervention and assistance given to smallholder farmers and promised that the inputs would be used to achieve the purpose they were given.