By Oboh Linus, Lafia
No fewer than 500 farmers in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State have benefited from Matawalle Empowerment and Development Foundation (MEDF) with N16 million grants to boost agricultural production.
Mr Mohammed Lawal, the Coordinator of the empowerment, performed the symbolic presentation to the beneficiaries on in Toto Local Government Area.
According to Lawal, the empowerment is a deliberate effort of the Executive Director of the Foundation, Dr Labaran Magaji, SAN, to complement the government in boosting the productivity of smallholder farmers.
He said that the committee carefully selected the beneficiaries from across the 12 wards of Toto Local Government Area of the state.
Lawal explained that food sufficiency and food security were critical to the survival of humanity, hence the foundation considers it necessary to support smallholder farmers to boost their production.
“We consider this empowerment as our modest intervention to boost your farming activities and increase production.
“Recently, the foundation did similar empowerment where it offered scholarships and supported 1,000 indigent students, empowered over 3,000 women and youth groups when the Founder, Magaji, SAN, marked his 53rd birthday.
The beneficiaries are selected without party and religion considerations. We will continue to support our people to enhance their socio-economic status,” he stated.
Lawal, while appealing to the beneficiaries to use the fund for what it was meant for, noted that the rest of the beneficiaries would receive the cash grant of N30,000 each directly through their bank accounts.
Also speaking, Mallam Umar Suleiman, Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Toto LGA, described Magaji as a farmer-friendly son of Toto who has demonstrated genuine concern for the welfare and development of farmers.
Suleiman commended the cash-grant initiative, saying the support would help farmers strengthen their agricultural activities and address some of the financial challenges associated with farming.
Mr Allahnana Angulu, Sarkin Noma Loko Goma who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed appreciation to the foundation for the intervention and promised to use the grant judiciously to boost their farming activities.
“Magaji, who is currently the Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government, is a worthy son of Toto who always cares for the needs of his people. We pray for greater opportunities to sustain this support for farmers.
“On behalf of farmers in Toto LGA, I want to say that we will support the policies and programmes of the administration of Gov. Abdullahi Sule, particularly those aimed at supporting farmers and improving livelihoods,” he said.
