Distribution of fertilizers donated by the Federal Government through the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has commenced in Ekiti State, with stakeholders stressing transparency and accountability in the process.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting involving officials of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), the Ekiti State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and representatives of NADF’s Monitoring and Evaluation Department, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, said the distribution must prioritise genuine farmers.
He stressed that the intervention should benefit a larger number of farmers rather than being concentrated in the hands of a few individuals.
Boluwade noted that while registered groups and cooperatives could receive fertilizers on behalf of members, beneficiaries must be properly verified using names, farm locations, National Identification Numbers (NIN), and other relevant details.
He urged all stakeholders involved in the exercise to demonstrate diligence and transparency to ensure that only genuine farmers benefit from the Federal Government’s gesture.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Babatope Ojo, assured that the ministry would closely monitor the distribution process to guarantee that the fertilizers reach intended beneficiaries.
“The joy of the ministry is to see farmers thrive,” he said.
The Ekiti State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Oluwasegun Aderemi, commended the Commissioner for putting in place measures to ensure transparency in the exercise and pledged effective monitoring by the ministry.
Similarly, the Chairman of AFAN in Ekiti State, Sunday Adekogbon, lauded the Federal and State Governments for the intervention, describing it as timely support that would boost agricultural production and enhance food security.
He assured that AFAN would ensure fair and transparent distribution of the fertilizers to the right beneficiaries across the state.