The Presidency has said that more than 2.2 million farmers are set to receive about N12.3 billion agricultural subsidy from the Federal Government in a few weeks.
This is as Presidency officials confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari had already approved a N6.15 billion agricultural subsidy for the first batch of 1.2 million farmers.
According to a report by Punch, this disclosure was made by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agriculture, Andrew Kwasari, who said that the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) had validated the first batch of beneficiaries.
READ: Food crisis: Should Nigeria arm farmers to halt food price Inflation?
What the Presidential aide on Agriculture is saying
Kwasari said the 1.2 farmers would start getting their alerts soon, adding that another batch of over one million beneficiaries would also receive about N6.15 billion agricultural subsidy.
He said, “The President has approved subsidies for 1.2 million farmers in Batch A and the NIBSS has validated their bank accounts and BVN (Bank Verification Numbers) as farmers. We have another batch of over one million and NIPSS has also validated their details and it will be sent to Mr President for approval.
“NIBSS validates every BVN tied to any account and can tell you the owner of such accounts in this country.”
On the total amount of subsidy to be given to farmers, Kwasari stated that the funds would come in batches of about N6.15 billion each noting that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the NIBSS had received the details of those to benefit from the subsidy scheme.
Kwasari said, “The first batch is N6.15bn and we are preparing Batch B and it may be up to that amount also. The file has moved from my office right now and it is with the Accountant-General of the Federation and NIBSS for payment.”
Kwasari further revealed that the Federal Government had captured over 6 million farmers across the country, stressing that the data of these operators were in his office.
The presidential aide urged farmers to deploy the funds judiciously for agricultural purposes when they start receiving the subsidies and pointed out that the government would monitor the activities.
In case you missed it
It can be recalled that a few days ago, the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN) faulted the Federal Government’s claim of registering about 6 million farmers for its agricultural subsidy programme as its National President, Kabir Ibrahim, said that the association was not aware of the programme.
This was coming after Andrew Kwasari, had said that over 6 million farmers had been registered by the Federal Government for the purpose of giving them subsidies.
However, Ibrahim stated that what should be of importance to the government was how to address rising food prices caused by insecurity.
How can we apply for this great opportunity. Thanks
I hv never heard of this program. Pls do i follow up?
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What is the name of this program?
This Soon Of A Thing Is Not Money Or Fertilizer, Fg Please Do Something.
This Soon Of A Thingh Is Not Fertilizer Nor Money, Fg Please Do Something.
For u Mr Chairman the Federal government policy of helping farmers is nothing to u abi? U are busy talking about food Price’s, how much is a bag of fertilizer, a bottle of herbicides and other farm implements.
If you’re a Farmer u should be happy for this policy to be achieved instead of talking rubbish.
When will fg start the disbursement pls.
I apply,my farm was captured, and soil sample taking, but till now no financial backing. The delay is too much and the raining season is going gradually.
Pls can I still apply and how?