Former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, has empowered no fewer than 2,800 farmers from the Western Senatorial Zone of Nasarawa State with fertilisers, modern farm implements and other forms of support aimed at boosting food production and improving rural livelihoods.
The agricultural intervention programme was flagged off in Karu Local Government Area. The Western Senatorial Zone comprises five local government areas: Keffi, Karu, Kokona, Nasarawa and Toto.
Speaking at the ceremony, Adamu, convener of the IGP Group, explained that the initiative was designed to complement government efforts toward achieving food security and uplifting rural communities.
“We are here to support our farmers. We are here to compensate our farmers. We are here to modernise our farming method. We are here to introduce implements that will aid in producing more food for our people,” he said.
Adamu described the intervention as a token of encouragement for farming activities and a contribution to increasing food supply in the state. He disclosed that the Karu exercise covered the Western Zone and that a similar gesture would be extended to farmers in the Nasarawa North Senatorial District.
He appealed to well-meaning individuals, corporate organisations and politicians to join in supporting farmers.
“If you have the means, please come out and also assist the farmers. Come out of the little that you have to assist the farmers. Because when you assist them, we are going to get more food. If you have more food in the market, the food will be cheap and everybody will get it,” Adamu stated.
The Chairman of the Nasarawa State All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Ambassador Isaac Kugbu, represented by the state coordinator, Isah Buba, lauded the former IGP for the timely intervention, describing it as exemplary leadership that would boost food production.
Distribution of the items commenced immediately after the flag-off, with Toto Local Government Area taken first due to its distance from the venue. Beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the support.