By: Joshua Adinoyi 

The Senator representing Nasarawa South, Umaru Tanko Al-makura of the All Progressives Congress – APC, has flagged off the distribution of 3,000 Bags of NPK Ferlizer, cartons of herbicides and pesticides to farmers across the five Local Government Areas of Nasarawa South Senatorial District.

While flagging off the distribution of the farm inputs at his Constituency Office in Lafia, Senator Al-makura said the gesture was meant to cushion the harsh economic situation of the country on local farmers and boost farming activities with a view to enhancing the Country’s food security.

Senator Al-makura, who is the immediate past Governor of Nasarawa State, said the initiative was also part of his efforts to support the present administration of Engineer Abdullahi Sule in the State.

He recalled that the government recently distributed fertilizers across the State where farmers benefited, explaining that the demand for fertilizer is unlimited, while the price is exorbitant, hence the need to initiate the distribution in order to support the efforts of the Engineer Sule led administration.

Senator Al-makura noted that, for the country to have food security, there’s need to not only expand the scope of farming but also provide sufficient inputs to enhance better yields.

He stressed that, considering the downturn in the global economic activities, there is need for the people to go back to farming and for increased provision of inputs in order to increase yields.

The Lawmaker emphasized that, agriculture is one of the platforms earmarked by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to fast track economic development through diversification.

He called on farmers to continue to step up efforts in order to produce more to ensure food security across the country.

“I’m calling on both small and large scale farmers, to continue to step up efforts in providing more farmlands and making more efforts to produce more crops, so that our people will be able to benefit from this initiative,” he stated.

He used the opportunity to call for sustained synergy between critical stakeholders across the state and the administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule, as that will guarantee that ordinary people will benefit from activities of government.

“I assure you that given the amicable relationship that exist between the critical stakeholders and people that matters within the government, the people of Nasarawa State will get the best dividends of democracy now and after 2023,” he said.

He stressed that he was impressed when the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Barrister Mohammed Ubandoma Aliyu, as well as the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. John Mamman, turned up at the event.

Special guest at the event and Acting Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, thanked Senator Al-makura for the initiative meant to bring succour to rural farmers.

While describing the initiative as unprecedented, the Acting Governor commended Senator Al-makura for also embarking on projects across the five local government areas making up Nasarawa South senatorial district.

“This time, he knows how difficult it is to get farm input. Fertilizer has become so scarce and expensive because of lack of raw materials

“Our father has felt the pains of these farmers, our father has listened to the cry of these farmers and has come out to support them because in everything you do in life, first thing is food. You have to eat before anything else,” Dr. Akabe said.

Dr. Akabe hailed Senator Al-makura for the initiative, stressing that the only way to ensure adequate food production, is to supplement the effort of farmers with inputs.

The Acting Governor described the present administration under the leadership of Engineer Abdullahi Sule, as a continuation of the past administration under Senator Al-makura.

“This government is a continuation of the Al-makura government. We are one government. My principal, the Executive Governor has said it time without number, that Senator Al-makura remain his mentor,” he stated.

Dr. Akabe used the opportunity of the event to call on beneficiaries of the gesture, to use the items judiciously, while also warning those responsible for the distribution against diverting the inputs to be sold in open markets.

The Acting Governor called on Political Office Holders to emulate the former governor and always give back to their various communities.

In a goodwill message, State Chairman of the APC, Hon John Mamman, said the initiative of Senator Al-makura is providing a platform for farmers in Nasarawa South to generate income.

He commended the former governor for putting the welfare of his people foremost and for reaching out to help local farmers.

Hon Mamman also warned those benefiting from the gesture against selling the farm inputs meant to boost food production.

In a vote of thanks, Safiya Yahaya, thanked Senator Al-makura over his gesture to farmers in the southern senatorial zone, assuring that, farmers will employ the inputs towards enhancing food security in the state and country at large.

The farm inputs distributed include 3,000 bags of fertilizer, 150 cartons of herbicides and 50 cartons of pesticides, to be distributed among farmers in Lafia, Obi, Doma, Keana and Awe local government areas of Nasarawa State.