The Niger State Government has procured over 120 truckloads of assorted grains to complement the Federal government’s food palliative distribution.
The Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, disclosed this to journalists after a closed-door meeting with the Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, at his office in Abuja.
Bago explained that the purchase of assorted grains, which include rice, maize, millet, sorghum, and beans, was to accommodate more beneficiaries in the state considering the present harsh economy.
He said that his visit was to discuss more on the distribution of the Federal Government’s food palliative, as the flag-off for distribution would be done in Niger State next week.
He stressed that the state is determined to lead other states to achieve the food security policy of the Federal Government, adding that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has been supportive in terms of inputs and extension services.
Bago, fondly referred to as the ‘Farmer Governor,’ maintained that agriculture, which goes beyond crop production, remains the solution to the economic quagmire the nation has found itself in.
Also speaking, Minister Kyari confirmed that the flag-off for the distribution of the grains would be in Niger State and subsequently in other zones of the federation.
He said the target for the distribution is the local government areas and that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has the template.
Kyari disclosed that the office of the National Security Adviser and all relevant shareholders will partner to ensure smooth and transparent distribution pointing out that the modalities for distribution would be disclosed as soon as they are made available.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to release 42,000 metric tons of assorted grains from the national strategic reserve for free distribution to Nigerians.
