The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) in an effort towards revitalizing the Agriculture Sector, improve farmers livelihood as well as enhance food and nutrition security has distributed agricultural inputs and animal feeds to flood affected livestock farmers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Distribution was aimed at cushioning the effect of climate change, increase production as well as address the high cost of animal feed in the country.
Speaking during the event which took place at Project Coordination Unit Quarters, Kwali Area Council, Abuja, recently, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, represented by the Director, Special Duties, Mrs Fausat Lawal stated that “the Ministry is not relenting in its efforts of working out such interventions to address the plight of livestock farmers as sector contributes immensely to the Nation’s Gross Domestic Product”.
Dr. Ernest Umakhihe added that “the Ministry will remain passionate when it comes to improving the productivity of the smallholder farmers who are mostly women and youth, we will continue do everything in our capacity to encourage livestock production in the country.”
He pointed out that the initiative was a direct response to Mr. President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the agriculture sector to tackle rising food prices and shortages.
He urged farmers to make judicious use of the feeds and other items given to them to contribute their quarter in the fight against hunger and poverty in the country.
In his remarks, the Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Secretariat, FCT, Alhaji Kolo Geidam, represented by Mrs Onyeji Edith said that “the programme was timely and commended the Ministry’s commitment towards enhancing farmer’s income and livelihood”.
He encouraged farmers to practise what they learned from the interactive session to ensure improvement in productivity in their respective farms.
Earlier In her welcome address, the Director, Animal Husbandry Services, Mrs Winnie Lar Solarin said that “the event was an opportunity to share ideas, keep in touch with farmers and acquit them with modern technologies to improve their farming practices”.
She stressed the need for farmers to get their farms insured because of the risk involved in the business and to report to the Ministry incidents occurring in their farms in order to work out preventive measures for future reoccurrence.
One of the beneficiaries, a Livestock farmer, Mr. Yusuf Usman, thanked the Federal Government for the provision of the palliatives and pledged to make judicious use of the inputs and feeds
Highlight of the event was the distribution of Poultry Feeds, Pig Feeds, Transport Crates, Salt Lick Ruminant Concentrates and disinfectant to about Four Hundred Farmers in the Livestock Sub-sector in the FCT.
Obe M. Mabel
Principal Information Officer
For: Director Information
