A new program called “Operation Empty the Store” has been introduced by the federal government with the goal of distributing all agricultural products and equipment that have been stockpiled to farmers for prompt use.
In order to provide farmers with the means to increase food production throughout the second half of the 2024–2025 dry season and the forthcoming wet season farming, the government took this action.
It is anticipated that the program will reach 1,500 farmers on average across each state and the FCT.
When he announced the initiative yesterday in Abuja, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, told reporters that it includes a nationwide distribution plan that prioritises providing farmers with improved inputs and cutting-edge farming tools to increase productivity.
Sprayers, herbicides, organic and inorganic fertilisers, better seeds, motorised weeders, planters, and combined harvesters are a few of the equipment and supplies that will be given out.
In keeping with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the agricultural sector, Ogunbiyi emphasised the vital role that agriculture plays in improving economic growth, hunger, and malnutrition.
According to him, “It is essential for us to let Nigerians and the world know the efforts being made to achieve food and nutrition efficiency, thereby stemming hunger, starvation, and malnutrition in our country.”
“These products are not meant for the store; they are meant for the farmers. I will embark on emptying all our stores nationwide so that the equipment and inputs will be useful to our farmers,” Dr Ogunbiyi affirmed.
Additionally, the permanent secretary called on media to support public education and rekindle interest in agriculture.
Dr. Deola Lordbanjou, director of the Department of Agricultural Extension Services, provided more details about the logistics of the project.
“Our coverage will initially include an average of 1,500 farmers per state. Inputs and implements have been strategically placed in state stores, eliminating the need for transportation from Abuja.
“We are working as a team, combining our strengths and resources to distribute inputs massively across the country.”
He clarified that the purpose of the equipment was to increase farmers’ output and lessen the labour-intensive nature of conventional farming practices.