From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Rice farmers in Kwara State have expressed optimism that the federal government’s intervention in agricultural inputs under the Agro-Pockets initiative will significantly boost food production and enhance food security across the country.
The State Coordinator of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Mallam Mohammed Salihu, shared this assurance while addressing journalists in Ilorin.
He commended the quality of the inputs distributed to farmers, which include branded fertilizers, seeds, chemicals, organic fertilizers, and pesticides. According to him, these inputs will benefit farmers of all statuses, improving their productivity.
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“The redemption of 25% of the total cost of the inputs by the beneficiaries, while the government covers the rest, is a commendable effort,” Mallam Salihu stated. However, he urged government at all levels to consider making the intervention completely free for farmers, especially as many live below the poverty line and may struggle to afford even the subsidized 25%.
He also noted some delays in the supply of inputs by certain agro-dealers and called for a more efficient strategy to avoid bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensure timely delivery to the right beneficiaries.
Mallam Salihu further appealed to the federal government to incorporate local agro-dealers in the supply process or channel the inputs through commodity associations for greater efficiency.
Additionally, he suggested that decentralizing the work of service providers to the state level could prevent duplication and the misdirection of information to wrong beneficiaries.
Mallam Salihu commended the Kwara State government and the federal government for their support of farmers and reaffirmed the rice farmers’ commitment to backing government policies aimed at making food more available and affordable.
Over 2,000 rice farmers have so far benefited from the Agro-Pockets farm inputs intervention in Kwara State.
