Victims Support Fund (VSF), says it will distribute farm inputs to 700 smallholder farmers affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in Yobe.
Prof. Mana Tanko, Executive Director of the Fund, stated this at the inauguration of the distribution exercise on Friday in Geidam.
Tanko represented by Mr Emmanuel Ojo, Programme Manager, Livelihood and Agricultural Support, said the Fund targeted about 3,000 smallholder farmers in Adamawa, Borno, Niger and the Yobe States under its agriculture and livelihood support programme.
He said each of the benefiting farmers would received inputs worth over N50,000 under the programme.
The Director listed the inputs to include soluble NPK and Urea brand of fertilisers as well as Knapsack sprayer.
According to him, the Fund is providing support to the persons affected by the insurgency since 2015, through various interventions such as rehabilitation of schools, hospital and critical infrastructure, provision of hospital equipment and women empowerment among others.
“The professional suspension fertiliser was formulated with the finest products to satisfy the nutritional needs of the crops.
“It is concentrated and packaged in a 50grm sachet which is as good as having three bags of 50kg conventional granular fertilisers.
“The farmers will have their capacities built and be supported by extension workers to ensure proper application of the fertiliser,” he said.
In his remarks, Gov. Mai Mala-Buni of Yobe commended the gesture and enjoined the beneficiaries to utilise the inputs to engage in productive activities.
Buni represented by Hajiyz Mairo Mashi, the state Commissioner for Agricultural, also warned the beneficiaries against the diversion of the commodities. (NAN)
