Cross River distributes farm inputs to farmers

Cross River State Agricultural Development Programme, in collaboration with African Development Bank (AfDB) funded National Programme For Food Security (NPFS), has distributed 150 sets of water pumps, seed processing equipment and accessories, 60 Quink motorcycles for enumerators and other assorted farm tools for both staff and farmers at NPFS site as well as road maintenance tools for community management groups in the state.

According to James Aniyom, the state commissioner for agriculture, the distribution of motorcycles is to further demonstrate the commitment of the state government support and effort of the present administration transformation agenda in the agricultural sector on cassava, rice, and other value chain and must not be taken for granted by NPFS staff and farmers, as the tools must be put to proper use by all the beneficiaries.

The NPFS is an AfDB funded projects with the Federal Government, states and local governments contributing, Aniyom said, saying “this objective is to improve household food security through increase productivity and sustainable use of natural resources and also to enhanced food security through increase access to farmers.”

The NPFS objectives, he said, are also to improve household food security and income through increase productivity, diversification and sustainable use of natural resources, to enhance food security of consumers through improved access to and availability of food. Also, to increase income of producers through more effective marketing, to enhance farmers and consumers access to support services such as extension, credit and nutrition, and lastly to foster participation of the poorer section of the rural population in the development of their community.

He said the state through his ministry was fighting food insecurity and malnutrition through the execution of agricultural projects such as Cross River Agricultural and Rural Empowerment Scheme (CARES), Songhai initiatives, Cross River Farm Credit Scheme, Project Awake, IFAD, FADAMA111, Enhancement Support Schemes (GES), among others.

By: MIKE ABANG