The Zamfara state Government says it has concluded plans to empower one hundred thousand farmers within a period of four years as part of its effort to boost farming activities and reduce poverty in the state
Nineteen thousand farmers were empowered with Seven hundred power tillers and seeds for rice and maize farming, 2,250 Women with sheep and Goats to boost agriculture as 40 Cattle market and 12 veterinary clinics will be constructed across the state.
The out break of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago led to lockdowns, collapse of many economies, loss of jobs and businesses among other consequences
In Nigeria, the pandemic led to the closure of many MSEs, hindered the provision of basic services in poor communities and thereby increasing the population of Nigerians living below the poverty line
As a response to the hardship perpetrated by the pandemic and in line with the vision of the Federal Government to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years, the government has got assistance from the world Bank under the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) and Each State is allocated ex-ante of USD 20 million
To ensure judicious use of the funds allocated to Zamfara state, the government has empowered 19,000 farmers with farming inputs, 2,500 women with sheep and Goats and 40 Cattle markets and 12 veterinary clinics will be constructed across the state
The Zamfara state Governor Dauda Lawal disclosed this during the flag off ceremony of the Nigeria Coronavirus (COVID-19) Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) in Gusau
This is the third phase of the Fadama III project lauched by the state Government and is also aimed at assisting the poor and vulnerable
Agriculture is one the sectors with the highest allocation in the 2024 fiscal year budget of Zamfara state and is one of the driving force of economy in the state despite disruption by activities of armed bandits in some areas