SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, REV. FR. DR. HYACINTH IORMEM ALIA, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF BENUE STATE AT THE OFFICIAL FLAG-OFF CEREMONY OF THE 2024 CROPPING SEASON AND DISTRIBUTION OF AGRICULTURAL INPUTS TO BENUE FARMERS HOLDING AT MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY HEADQUARTERS, MAKURDI ON 10TH JULY, 2024.
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It is with great pleasure and pride that I welcome you all to the official flag-off ceremony of the 2024 cropping season and distribution of agricultural production inputs such as assorted fertilizers, seeds and seedlings to our hard working farmers in Benue State.
2. As we mark the beginning of another farming season, it is a testament to our resolve to increase food production, and the resilience and dedication of our farmers who work tirelessly to ensure food security in our State and Nigeria at large.
3. Our administration has prioritized the agricultural sector as the lowest hanging fruit to catalyze growth and economic development of Benue State.
4. Our renewed strategic partnership with development partners such as the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Value Chain in Rice and Cassava, Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), ACReSAL among others has opened up new opportunities for value addiction and agro-processing, creating jobs and boosting the local economy.
5. Furthermore, it is noteworthy to mention that within our first year in office, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has witnessed some modest transformation including the resuscitation of the Benue State Swine and Crop Improvement Project at Yandev that was established to improve local performance of our indigenous breed of pigs as well as improve the protein intake of Benue People.
6. Our great farmers,ladies and Gentlemen our administration is quite aware of the plight of Benue farmers in the face of insecurity and soaring prices of agricultural production inputs. As a result the Benue EXCO has given approval to the requests by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to procure assorted fertilizer brands as well as improve seeds and agro-chemicals to build the resilience of farmers against economic shocks.
7. Last year, we distributed 100 trucks of subsidized fertilizer. Today, we are doubling that number and ensuring timely distribution at the start of the cropping season. This renewed focus on agriculture extends beyond fertilizer. For the first time in over a decade, the state government is subsidizing other essential farming inputs like seeds/seedlings, agrochemicals and knapsack sprayers.
8. Today, we are distributing quality fertilizers, seeds and other farm inputs to our farmers to enable them to achieve bountiful harvest. This support will improve crop productivity, enhance food security and increase the income of our rural farmers. We are committed to boosting agricultural productivity in Benue State and positioning our farmers for sustainable growth and prosperity.
9. May I at this junction commend the magnanimity of the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria for donating 60 trucks of assorted fertilizers comprising of 19.8 trucks of NPK:20:10:10, 16.1 trucks of NPK:27:13:13, 16.1 trucks of NPK:15:15:15 and 8 trucks of Urea to Benue State Government.These inputs are meant to be given to registered genuine and verifiable farmers to enhance food production in the State free of charge.
10. This fertilizer programme is more than just a bag of nutrients. It’s an investment in your future, your families’ futures and the future of our nation. By optimizing soil health with this fertilizer, you can expect increased crop yields, translating to higher revenues and improved livelihoods. Ultimately, this programme aims to combat hunger and strengthen food security throughout Benue State and Nigeria at large.
11. As we embark on the 2024 cropping season, I call on all farmers to embrace best agronomic practices such as the use of improved seeds rather than grains in order to maximize their crop yield. I call on our farmers to adopt other climate smart agricultural practices for increased productivity.
12. Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that this sector thrives. Today, we are not only distributing improved seedlings and fertilizers; we are planting the seeds of prosperity and self-sufficiency for our dear people.
13. We must encourage our young men and women to embrace agriculture. We are committed to making farming attractive and a viable means of wealth creation for all. Through various initiatives and support systems, we are ensuring that agriculture is seen not just as a profession, but as a gateway to economic empowerment and sustainability.
14. We have the resources to turn our agricultural sector into a powerhouse of production and innovation. As I often say, with agriculture, we are too rich to be poor. We have fertile lands, skilled farmers, and a government that is willing to invest heavily in the future of its people. I want to assure every aspiring farmer that we are here to support you. Come, and we will provide you with the resources you need to farm free of charge.
15. Let us all work together to transform our state into the food basket that is capable of feeding the entire nation and beyond.
16. Finally, I wish all our farmers a successful cropping season and urge you all to strive for excellence in your fields. Let us sow the seeds of prosperity today for a bountiful harvest tomorrow.
17.Thank you. May God bless Benue State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
