Niger government urges farmers to insure farms against disasters
From Our Correspondent
The Niger State Government has advised farmers in the state to insure their farms against disasters, following recent floods that devastated farmlands in Mokwa Local Government Area.
The Permanent Secretary of Niger state Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Matthew Ahmed gave the advise on behalf of the Commissioner, Hon.Musa Salihu Bawa Bosso, during an on-the-spot assessment of farms affected by flood in Mokwa Local Government Area of the state.
He said insuring farms against disasters would provide farmers with financial protection and support during times of crisis.
“Disasters such as floods, droughts, and pests can have devastating effects on farms, leading to significant losses for farmers,” he said.
He attributed the flood to excess water from Kainji and Jebba dams, associated with climate change.
He assured the farmers that the flood would recede within five days and that extension agents would collect data on affected farmers for possible government intervention.
He said the state government plans to link affected farmers with the Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) for further intervention.
Alhaji Mohammed Baba, Managing Director of Niger State Agricultural Mechanisation Development Authority (NAMDA), also advised farmers to key into the Niger Foods Project, which allows farmers to access inputs on credit and repay at harvest.
Earlier, Alhaji Mahmudu Usman, Etsuyankpa of Kusogi village, disclosed that the flood has destroyed about 300,000 hectares of rice farms worth billions of Naira.
Usman stated that the disaster has affected indigenous and non-indigenous farmers in over 25 villages under Kede community in Mokwa Local Government Area.
He appealed to the state government to come to the aid of the farmers, as their livelihood depends on the farms.
