Excitement swept through farming communities in Katsina State as hundreds of beneficiaries hailed Governor Dikko Umar Radda following the distribution of free agricultural inputs under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project.
The intervention, which targets farmers in Katsina, Jibia and Kaita Local Government Areas, is expected to boost food production, ease the burden of rising farming costs and strengthen rural livelihoods ahead of the farming season.
At the distribution ceremony held in Kabukawa, Katsina, beneficiaries described the initiative as a “lifeline” and a clear demonstration of Governor Radda’s commitment to transforming agriculture and empowering grassroots farmers.
Representing the State ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Alhaji Nafiu Muhammed Musa, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Aminu Ahmed, said the exercise formed part of the project’s broader mission to improve livelihoods, promote climate resilience and support vulnerable farming communities.
He revealed that beneficiaries were carefully selected through a transparent screening process carried out across several communities in the three local government areas to ensure that the support reached genuine farmers actively engaged in agricultural production.
According to him, no fewer than 600 farmers will benefit from the intervention free of charge.
“We went round the communities to identify deserving farmers so that the assistance would have the desired impact. The process was transparent and aimed at ensuring fairness and accountability,” he said.
The beneficiaries received a wide range of farm inputs, including solar-powered water pumps, fertilizers, pesticides, improved seeds, wheelbarrows, planters and sprayers, among other essential farming tools.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Malam Jamilu Lawal of Gadirge community in Jibia Local Government Area, commended Governor Radda, the World Bank and the ACReSAL Project for what he described as a timely intervention at a period when many farmers are grappling with the soaring cost of agricultural inputs.
He said the support would not only reduce production costs but also increase crop yields and improve food security across the benefiting communities.
“This assistance has given us renewed hope. Many farmers could not afford some of these inputs due to the high costs. With this support, we can expand cultivation and produce more food,” he said.
The beneficiaries pledged to make judicious use of the items and expressed optimism that the intervention would trigger a bumper harvest season across the state.
The distribution is the latest in a series of agricultural support programmes under Governor Radda’s administration, reinforcing his agenda of making Katsina a hub of sustainable agriculture while improving the economic fortunes of rural farmers.
