By Awwal Umar Kontagora The All Green Agro Field Farmers Processors and Marketers Association (AGAFPAMA), in collaboration with MOURE Consu...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The All Green Agro Field Farmers Processors and Marketers Association (AGAFPAMA), in collaboration with MOURE Consult Limited, will provide subsidized agricultural inputs to 1,000 farmers in Niger State.
Ambassador Dr. Nura Hashim (Tallafin Bosso Karami), Chairman of the Niger State chapter and National Secretary of AGAFPAMA, explained that last year’s high cost of agricultural inputs, coupled with the Federal Government’s delayed purchase of food produce, caused significant losses for farmers. This prompted the association to partner with private companies to supply essential farm inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides at subsidized rates.
Under the scheme, farmers will pay only 40 percent of the input cost upfront, while the remaining 60 percent will be paid after harvest.
Dr. Hashim made these remarks during the launch of the input distribution to qualifying farmers. The event was held at the palace of the Bosso District Head, Alhaji Mu'azu Adamu Laka, in Bosso Local Government Area on Saturday.
He added that all beneficiary farmers were carefully screened to meet the set criteria, ensuring the success of the repayment scheme. Beyond input distribution, the Niger State chapter plans to train farmers in improved agricultural techniques and support scientifically managed goat rearing initiatives, which will be introduced soon.
In his address, the Emir of Minna, Dr. Umar Faruq Bahago, represented by the Minna Cikasoron, Alhaji Sulaiman Yahaya Babangida, called on wealthy individuals and agricultural companies to adopt similar strategies to empower smallholder farmers and boost the sector.
The Emir commended the initiative and urged government support for the association’s efforts. He also encouraged farmers to cooperate fully with the program to ensure even greater prosperity in the coming years.
The National Chairman of AGAFPAMA, Alhaji Sani Aliyu, represented by his deputy Alhaji Sale Adamu Ningi, highlighted that the organization is partnered with the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), the mother body of national farmers’ organizations.
He further noted that AGAFPAMA has branches across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with Niger State being the first to implement this input subsidy program.
Alhaji Sani Aliyu called on the Niger State government, especially the Ministry of Agriculture and relevant agencies, to collaborate closely with the association’s state branch to advance agricultural development.
Speaking to journalists, the Bosso District Head, Alhaji Mu'azu Adamu Laka, reminded beneficiaries that the input distribution is a loan and urged them to honor their repayment commitments.
He assured that other traditional leaders within the emirate will also ensure that all farmers who receive aid repay the loan, stressing that this is not political or government handout but a scheme to empower farmers.
Additionally, the group introduced a new ginger planting machine aimed at revitalizing ginger farming in Niger State, which is among Nigeria’s leading ginger-producing regions.
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