Kwara Rice Farmers Lament Delay in Agro-pockets Initiative

Date: 2024-10-23

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.

Yomi Ogunsola     Wasiu Odewale     Egbewole     Bolakale Ayo     Amusa Bello     Senior Special Assistant On Student Affairs     Unilorin     Abdulrasheed Na\'Allah     NFAI     Ghali Muhammed     Veterinary Teaching Hospital     Jebba     Ajibola Saliu Ajia     08001000100     Shuaibu Yaman     Adekunle David Dunmade     Mohammed Haruna     Roheemat Hammed     Samari     Ojuekun Sarumi     Muhammed Taofeeq Abdulrazaq     AbdulQowiy Olododo     Kwabes     Olofa Of Offa     Kayode Oyin Zubair     Sarah Jubril     Abiodun Musa Aibinu     Ado Bayero     Tafidan Kaiama     Aliyu Adebayo     Ahmed Saidu Rufai     Mohammed Jimoh Faworaja     Fatai Garuba Labaka     Yusuf Badmus     Timothy Akangbe     Mohammed Lawal     Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa     Age AbdulKareem     Kamaldeen Gambari     Valsolar Consultoria     Abdulganiy Abimbola Abdussalam     Amusement Park     Prince Sunday Fagbemi     Adedeji Onimago     Abdullahi Saadudeen Alikinla     Ibrahim Abdullahi     Saka Adeyemo     Ibraheem Adeola Katibi     Oniyangi     Sarkin Malamai     TIIDELab     Yetunde Balogun     Ibrahim Mohammed     Afonja     Mustapha Olanipekun     Kassim Babamale     MINILS     Sanusi Abubakar     Al-Adaby     Isiaka Yusuf     Na\'Allah     Tosin Saraki     Farouk Salim     Mary Arinde     James Kolo     Alimi Abdulrazaq     Nigerian Correctional Service     Ibrahim Jawondo     National Democratic Congress     Akeem Lawal     Abubakar Ndakene     Ishaq Abdulkarim     Kumbi Titilope     Hauwa Nuru     Olumide Daniel Ibitoye     Otuka     Yinka Aluko    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Ilorin Curfew     Javed Khan     Bareke     Raliat AbdulRazaq     Bilikisu Oniyangi     Adamu Ibrahim Sabi     KWAFFA     Bond     Oloyede     Busari Toyin Isiaka     Khadijat Ayoola Yusuf     Tinubu Legacy Forum     Saidu Yaro Musa     MATTA Girls Foundation     Akeem Lawal     Rapheal Ashaolu     David Adesina     Osinbajo     Amule     Rebecca Olanrewaju     Summit University     KFA     NTA Ilorin     Kunle Okeowo     Ibraheem Abdullateef     CCEPE     Cornelius Fawenu     Amuda Musbau     Afolabi-Oshatimehin     Ayinke Saka     Idowu Laro     Rice Farmers Association Of Nigeria     Mope Dasuki Belgore     Kwara State Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations     Haruna Olawale Sulaiman     Igbaja     Aliyu Sabi     Yoonus Kola Olatinwo     Isin     Oke-opin     United Nigeria Airline     Emir Of Lafiagi     Local Government     Maja     Frootify     Dapo Teni Nig Enterprise     Orisa Bridge     Durosinlohun Kawu     Ayo Salami     Falokun-Oja     Ilorin Likeminds Foundation     KWASSIP     Mopelola Abdulmaliq-Bashir     Shola Odetundun     Idris Amosa Oladipo Saidu     Zulkifli Ibraheem     Kwara State Football Association     Ilorin South     College Of Health     Bolakale Kawu     Funmilayo Zubair     Okedare     CLAY POT     AbdulHakeem Ajibola Akanbi     Benin Republic     Kolo     Abubakar Abdullahi Bata     KWIRS     Isiaka Gold     Oyun     Babaloja-General     Elections     Modibbo Kawu     SARS     Fatai Garuba Labaka     Kwara Consultative Forum     Olaoye B. Felix