FG To Provide Cross River Farmers With Oil Palm, Cocoa Seedlings

The Federal Government has pledged to distribute 5,000 improved oil palm sprouted nuts, 1,500 kg improved cashew seed, 20,000 cocoa seedlings and agrochemicals, to farmers in Cross River State.

The Government added that rice farmers will be supported with 1,000 kg of rice seeds as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in the agricultural sector across the country.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, who stated these in a statement made available to THE WHISTLER.

He stated that the government is working towards making Nigeria self-sufficient in good quality seed and its availability to farmers, adding that this would provide the foundation for attaining food and nutrition security for the country.

He said, “The Ministry will support the oil palm farmers, with 5,000 improved oil palm sprouted nuts and 1,500kg improved cashew seed, the cocoa farmers will also be supported with 20,000 cocoa seedlings and agrochemicals.

“In addition, Rice farmers will be supported with 1,000 kg of rice seeds.

“This is the fifth in the series of the distribution of the Ministry’s palliative incentive to farmers nationwide.

“The most recent being in Lokoja, Kogi State where the ministry collaborated with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to flag-off the distribution of Soybean, sesame, cashew and potatoes as well as fertilizers.”

He explained that at least 35 per cent of the inputs are targeted at women farmers in line with the targets set in the National Gender Action Plan and Policies aimed at ensuring increased opportunities for women.

This, he noted, had been communicated to the Farmer Associations.