The state government of Kebbi has taken a significant step towards promoting dry-season farming by procuring 6,000 units of solar pumps and power tillers. The governor of Kebbi, Nasir Idris, revealed this while visiting the minister of Agriculture and Food Security in Abuja. Governor Idris expressed his determination to partner with the federal government to provide solar-powered boreholes and power tillers to farmers in the state to complement the Federal Government’s dry-season farming initiative.
The minister of Agriculture and Food Security revealed that four other governors had expressed interest in partnering with the Federal Government to ensure food security. The government aims to boost food production, reduce inflation, and guarantee national food security by embracing year-round farming. The dry season wheat farming initiative launched in 15 states in November 2023 is a step in that direction.
Year-round farming will not only increase crop cultivation, but it will also create more job opportunities, reduce poverty, de-escalate food inflation and enhance inclusivity. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has highlighted these goals. Despite initial glitches, Kebbi has taken necessary steps such as land preparation and facilitation of tubular irrigation to enable the cultivation of wheat under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro-Pocket project.
The minister commended Kebbi’s efforts in supporting farmers with additional fertilisers and other inputs and providing funds for commodity associations to boost agriculture in the state. The governor invited the minister to be the special guest at the launch of the Kaura Agricultural Development and Growth Agenda and the distribution of solar pumps and power tillers to Kebbi farmers, emphasizing Kebbi’s commitment to achieving national food security.
