Kwara Rice Farmers Lament Delay in Agro-pockets Initiative
According to a news report from Leadership, rice farmers in Kwara State have expressed their disappointment and frustration over the delay in the supply of agricultural inputs through the Agro-pockets initiative, which was approved for them by the federal government, as reported by Leadership.
The initiative, designed to support small-scale farmers, has been hindered by the failure of some agro dealers contracted by the government to deliver the inputs.
The coordinator of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) in Kwara State, Malam Mohammed Salihu, spoke on behalf of the affected farmers, highlighting the difficulties they are facing due to the delay. The farmers are eager to receive the necessary inputs to enhance their productivity and meet the demands of the market.
Salihu, who spoke exclusively with LEADERSHIP in Ilorin, Kwara State capital said: “We're disturbed by the delay in the supply of the inputs by some agro dealers to the beneficiaries as planned.”
He, however, praised the federal and Kwara State governments for approving the agricultural inputs for 2000 rice farmers in the state, saying that the inputs will improve food production and ensure food security in the country.
He called for the introduction of a strategy devoid of bureaucratic bottleneck to ensure timely delivery of the inputs and get rid of wrong beneficiaries.
Salihu appealed to the federal government to incorporate indigenous agro-dealers in the supply of the inputs or channel the inputs through the commodity association to ensure efficiency in implementing the programme.
He also urged the government to decentralise the work of service providers to the state level to prevent duplication and the sending of token text messages to the wrong beneficiaries.
He said the farm inputs distributed would be helpful to all farmers irrespective of their status, expressing satisfaction with the quality of branded fertilizer, seed, chemicals, organic fertilizer and pesticides received by farmers to improve their productivity.
“The redemption of 25 percent of the total cost of the input by the beneficiaries while the government pays the balance is a commendable effort,” he said.
He, however, appealed to government at all levels to consider making the inputs intervention totally free for farmers in order to accommodate more beneficiaries, adding that larger number of the farmers live below poverty line and cannot afford to pay the 25 percent if accommodated.
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Arinola Lawal Simon Sayomi Abubakar Lah Muhammad Ghali Alaaya Afusat Nike Ibrahim Aliyu Kora-Sabi CACOVID Abdulganiy Abimbola Abdussalam Abdulsalam Firdaous Amosa Ilorin Talaka Parapo Fareedah Dankaka Seni Saraki Olayinka Jelili Yusuf Alfa Modibbo Belgore Tsaragi-Share Afetu Of Alabe First Lady Garba Ado Sanni Mohammed Yisa Senate Ibrahim Taiwo Jebba KWACOBPA Ibrahim Abiodun Emir Of Kano Donatus Ejidike Demola Banu Ariyo NIPOGA KWTV Towoju Ndama Al-hassan Abdulmutalib Shittu KWSUED Saka Abimbola Isau AGILE Programme PPS Isiaka Oniwa Eleja John Obuh Toyin Abdullahi Zara Umar Kazeem Oladepo Muritala Olarewaju Agor Market Turaki Saidu Kawu Babs Iwarere Sulu Gambari Ahman Pategi University Amasa Convocation Ceremonies Abdulkadir Orire Chief Imam Of Offa Ilorin Anchor Men And Women Musibau Akanji Bolakale Ayo Saheed Akinwumi Awwal Jawondo Radio SBS Yekeen Alabi Galland Marcias Fatima Abolore Jimoh Salary Ibrahim Gambari Alfa Yahaya Road Joseph Alex Offorjama Florence Saraki Colleges Of Education Academic Staff Union Idris Amosa Oladipo Saidu Olusegun Adeniyi Sheikh Alimi Sarakite Niyi Ogundiran March 18 Wahab Isa Yusuf Lawal

