From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Federal Government has launched a farmer data audit and registry to ensure that only genuine farmers benefit from government support.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this at the Government-Citizen Engagement interactive forum in Kaduna.
Abdullahi said the initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration efforts to tackle food insecurity and unlock rural prosperity. He noted that the government met a food crisis and responded with bold, data-driven initiatives.
According to Abdullahi, the Agro-Pocket initiative has cultivated over 133,000 hectares of wheat across 15 states in Northern Nigeria, exceeding the initial target of 130,000 hectares. The government has also supported rice farmers through a plan targeting 44,500 producers, backed by robust extension services.
The Minister emphasized that the farmer data audit and registry will eliminate middlemen and “briefcase contractors,” ensuring that real farmers receive government support. He also highlighted the government’s efforts to modernize agriculture through mechanization, including the launch of 2,000 Belarusian tractors and 9,000 implements.
Abdullahi called on Northern leaders and communities to reject impostors who manipulate the system and shortchange real farmers. He urged collective action to ensure the success of the government’s initiatives and to build a more resilient agricultural sector.
