UN agency, AUN distribute farm inputs to 100 farmers

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), in partnership with American University of Nigeria (AUN), has distributed farm inputs to 100 farmers in Yobe State.

The inputs included tonnes of fertiliser, insecticides and knapsack sprayers to prevent pre and post-harvest losses.

While inaugurating the distribution at the weekend in Damaturu, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Mairo Amshi, disclosed that “the distribution of farm inputs to 100 farmers in Yobe State was to commence this year’s planting season.

“The UNHCR and AUN also targets 450 farmers across the state to restore their means of livelihood destroyed during the decade-long Boko Haram insurgency.”

She said the state government was also to distribute tonnes of fertiliser and other farm inputs to 33,000 small-scale farmers.

The delay in distribution was caused by the ministry’s inconclusive elimination of fertiliser merchants and middlemen in the distribution channels, she said.

“We’ve to identify genuine farmers with collaboration of their traditional leaders to check diversion of farm inputs,” she said.

She assured that the state government would commence distribution of fertiliser to farmers soon, and that 33,000 small-scale farmers had been registered for the distribution for the season.

While speaking on distribution, she said: “We’ve identified their locations in various communities, including their phone numbers and other verification exercises to distribute fertiliser and other farm inputs. We have screened them to be sure they are genuine and practicing farmers.”

According to her, the screening exercise was to eliminate middle men in the distribution of fertiliser and other farm inputs.