News in Brief:
– To boost agricultural productivity in Katsina State, Nigeria’s federal government matched the state’s investment in agricultural inputs, including water pumps, sprayers, and fertilisers.
– This collaboration aims to enhance food security, encourage other states to prioritise agriculture, and foster grassroots development across Nigeria.
In a move designed to spur nationwide agricultural development, Nigeria’s federal government has matched recent investments made by Katsina State to boost food production in that state.
This initiative, in support of recent efforts by the state to enhance food security, involves the distribution of essential agricultural inputs to farmers across the state.
Announcing the donation through a press release on his official X page, the country’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, expressed the administration’s delight in supporting the state’s initiative.
Kyari noted that the state’s agricultural moves align with the administration’s unwavering effort to empower farmers and enhance agricultural productivity across Nigeria.
According to the press release, items donated include:
- Water Pumping Machines – 4,000 pieces
- Knapsack Sprayers – 4,000 units
- Insecticide Chemicals – 4,000 litres
- Selective Herbicides – 4,000 litres
- Non-Selective Herbicides – 4,000 liters
- Organic Fertiliser – 4,000 litres
- Hermetic Storage Bags – 4,000 pieces
Katsina State’s prior initiatives
Meantime, the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, had only three days earlier launched the distribution of 4,000 hand-powered tillers, 4,000 solar-powered water pumps, and 48,000 bags of fertilisers to farmers across the state.
The distribution also included the donation of 39,600 goats to farmers, as part of the 2024/2025 dry season farming initiative supporting livestock breeding in the state.
According to the governor, the livestock breeding initiative was funded to the tune of 5.775 million Naira.
Analysts opine that this collaboration underscores the federal government’s commitment to supporting state-led initiatives while fostering a national agricultural renaissance. By matching Katsina State’s efforts, the federal government aims to:
- Encourage other states to emulate Katsina’s model: This initiative serves as a powerful incentive for other states to prioritise agricultural development and invest in their farming communities.
- Demonstrate a commitment to grassroots development: By supporting state-led initiatives, the federal government signals its commitment to empowering local communities and fostering bottom-up agricultural growth.
- Accelerate national food security: The combined efforts of the federal and state governments will significantly enhance agricultural productivity, leading to increased food production and a more secure food supply for the nation.
Katsina State has a long history of agriculture, with cereals, legumes, and livestock being key produce. Historically, it has been a significant contributor to Nigeria’s food security. The state faces challenges like climate change and limited resources, but efforts are ongoing to modernise agriculture through irrigation, improved seeds, and support services to enhance productivity.
