The Federal Government has launched distribution of inputs to farmers nationwide, as part of steps to mitigate the effect of coronavirus pandemic.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, in his address at the launch in Kaduna State, said the measure is necessary to support small-holder farmers across the country.
He said the inputs included different categories of rice seeds, maize, wheat, sorghum, cowpea and oil palm seedlings and a host of others.
The Minister also noted that about 35 per cent of the inputs were aimed at women farmers in line with targets set in the National Gender Plan and Policies meant at increased opportunities for women. He added that the guideline to ensure women farmers enjoyed the 35 per cent had been communicated to farmers associations accordingly.
While, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State commended the Federal Government for its effort in ensuring food sufficiency in the face of the pandemic, pledged his government’s support for agricultural policies.
