Boosting Nigerian Agriculture: Vice President Kashim Shettima Launches Empowerment Program.

Vice President Kashim Shettima recently initiated an empowerment program aimed at supporting farmers across Nigeria, aligning with President Bola Tinubu's administration's focus on mechanizing agriculture and ensuring food security. Launched in Kaduna State, the Kashim Shettima Foundation's Agricultural Empowerment Programme commenced by providing recipient farmers with essential resources such as tractors, seeds, fertilizer, herbicides, and other farming inputs for the upcoming 2024 growing season.

In a statement conveyed through his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, Vice President Shettima acknowledged farmers as the unsung heroes who sustain the nation through their unwavering dedication. He emphasized their pivotal role in ensuring the country's sustenance and highlighted their contribution to the economy, calling them the backbone of Nigeria's agricultural sector.

During the launch event in Kaduna, Vice President Shettima reaffirmed the Tinubu administration's commitment to unlocking Nigeria's agricultural potential and providing crucial support to farmers. He announced the empowerment program as a tribute to the resilience and hard work of Nigerian farmers, underlining the significance of agriculture in providing employment opportunities and contributing to the GDP.

As part of the initiative, Vice President Shettima pledged support for the cultivation of 500 hectares of land in Kaduna, providing farming inputs, technical guidance, and financial assistance to beneficiaries. Additionally, startup funds would be allocated to farmer cooperatives to establish commercial farms, further promoting agricultural entrepreneurship and sustainability.

The program received endorsement and support from the Kaduna State Government, with Governor Uba Sani expressing gratitude to Vice President Shettima for choosing Kaduna as the project's pilot location. With plans to train farmers as agropreneurs and provide necessary resources, the initiative aims to inspire youth involvement in agriculture and address challenges faced by the industry. The collaboration with Sterling Bank Ltd. underscores the broader support network for the project's success, indicating a holistic approach towards agricultural development in Nigeria.