Over thirteen thousand wheat farmers are to benefit from the Nigeria Agricultural Gross Enhancement Scheme programme (NAGAP) for dry farming season in Kebbi State.
The Kebbi State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Ari Muhammad Abdulaziz, stated this at a news conference in the state.
Abdulaziz who explained that Wheat farmers in twelve local government areas of the state would benefit from the scheme stated that the programme was designed to deliver imputs to farmers as part of agricultural policy to address food insecurity in the country.
According to him, the programme is all year round for the wet and dry season farming which the wet season farming has been completed and the first phase for the dry season farming now Commenced.
Dr. Abdulaziz, said, for every programme, there must be a complaint of desparity in terms of fees which is a clear issue where farmers pay 50 percent of whatever package and the federal government take the burden of 50 percent.
The State Coordinator, explained that, there was a slight change in the mode of delivery and fee collection where those that benefited from with the wheat seed will pay 74,000 naira to be giving three bags of fertilizer only while those that paid 111,000 naira where giving three bags of fertilizer including 50 kilograms of wheat seed.
The Kebbi State Chairman, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, RIFAN, Yusuf Gabi Argungu expressed satisfaction with the delivery for the early commencement of the programme which according to him came at the right time of the wheat planting season.
The Chairman, while appreciating the federal government policies in attaining food security in the country, appealed for more subsidy on farming implements.
He however advised wheat farmers to take advantage of the season towards early planting for better yield.
