FG gives fertilisers, other farm inputs to farmers

The Federal Government has given 60 farmers in Imo 30 bags of NPK fertilizer and 20 cartons of herbicides.

Mr Brooks Michael, Director, Department of Agricultural Extension Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, oversaw the distribution in Owerri on Wednesday.

Michael, who was represented by Mrs Dorothy Botar, a senior ministry staff member, stated that each farmer will receive half of the 50kg bag of fertilizer and four litres of pre and post emergence herbicides.

This, she explained, was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to boost productivity and food security for Nigerians.

“The aim of this intervention is to increase farmers’ productivity and income as well as make food available to all Nigerians,” the minister stated.

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Mr Chris Iwuchukwu, the ministry’s Director in Imo, said the beneficiaries of the agricultural empowerment were drawn from all Local Government Areas in the state and asked farmers to use the inputs wisely.

“Farm inputs are not for sale, but rather for use by farmers.” “We expect the beneficiaries to apply the inputs correctly on their farms in order to achieve the best results,” he said.

Mrs Justina Njoku, a cassava farmer from Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, praised the Federal Government for the initiative and expressed optimism about improved crop.

Mr Silas Nwachukwu of Ikeduru Council Area, another farmer, recommended young people to embrace farming rather than continuing to look for white collar professions.

“We can create jobs ourselves through farming and I can confirm that there is money in agriculture,” he went on to say.