Kaduna farmers seek government support

Despite climatic challenges, farmers in Giwa and Soba local government areas have begun preparations to achieve improved agricultural produce in this year's farming season.

The Famers who were seen clearing their farms, said with high cost of items in the country, governments should ensure that  basic agricultural inputs like seedlings, fertilizers, and other farm implements are  subsidized to assist them cope with the eventualities of this year's rainy season as predicted.

Giwa and Soba local government areas of Kaduna state, are well known for agricultural activities, as 95 per cent of people in the areas rely on faming for livelihood, and with the impending rainy season, the farmers appealed to the governments at all levels to support them in all possible ways.

In Soba local government area, some of the farmers interviewed, said they have engaged in planting seedlings on their farms for early harvest and urged the local government council to also support them with fertilizers. 

The Farmers stressed the need for governments and other stakeholders to consider providing farming soft loans to expand investments from small scale farming to a mechanized systems that can help provide food for families and at the same time, generate some reasonable income. 

On his part, the Head of Agric department of Soba local government council, who spoke through the council's Deputy Director, extension services, Mr Laurence Bassa  Chawai,  explained that Soba local government council has put measures on ground to ensure improved agricultural produce in this 2024 farming season by ensuring that farmers receive the necessary inputs promptly.

Mr Laurence Bassa  Chawai, noted that the council under the agric department has intensified  collaborations with Agric companies that will be supplying yield fertilizers and other farm inputs to farmers in the area with the aim of enhancing agricultural productivity.

The Deputy Director, while affirming the councils readiness towards focusing on imparting knowledge of good agricultural practices to farmers through Agric Extension Agents, urged farmers to exercise caution in aligning planting schedules with NIMET predictions.