Nasarawa State Governor Distributes Agricultural Support to Local Farmers Under ACReSAL Project

Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has spearheaded a landmark initiative to boost agricultural productivity in the state, commissioning 25 fully equipped tractors, distributing agricultural inputs, and presenting Community Revolving Fund (CRF) cheques to local farmers.

The ceremony, held at the Government House parade ground, marked a major milestone in the state’s efforts to enhance food security and improve livelihoods for its citizens.

The distribution exercise, which targeted peasant farmers during the rainy and dry seasons, underscores the government’s commitment to supporting smallholder farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The event drew a large gathering of state executive council members, traditional rulers, World Bank Team, Federal Government officials, security agencies, and beneficiaries of the ACReSAL project.

Governor Sule expressed gratitude to the beneficiaries of ACReSAL projects in Nasarawa State, commending them for their timely loan repayments. “Sincerely, the beneficiaries of ACReSAL projects in Nasarawa State, you are doing well, and you are giving a good name to Nasarawa State. We deserve ACReSAL because we have all the prerequisites it needs,” he stated.

Princess Dr. Margaret Elayo, Chair of the State Steering Committee for Agro-climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) and Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, highlighted the collective progress towards building climate resilience and vibrant agricultural practices in Nasarawa State, supported by the World Bank.

She noted that under Governor Sule’s visionary leadership, the project has fostered strategic watershed management, climate-smart agricultural practices, and community-driven participation.

Dr. Elayo revealed that 86 community interest groups have been established, benefiting over 2,500 smallholder farmers through access to a community revolving fund, which has significantly increased their yields and enabled them to repay their loans. She also appreciated Governor Sule for approving a disbursement of $250,000 in May 2024 to CRF committees in the Doma and Toto catchment areas.

Furthermore, Dr. Elayo commended the governor for the passing and implementation of the Nasarawa State ACReSAL agency establishment Bill, as well as the disbursement of funds for the victims of gully erosion. This intervention has resulted in bumper harvests and improvements in household incomes and food security.

The distributed agricultural inputs included bags of improved seeds, power tillers, irrigation pumps among other inputs, aimed at supporting farmers in increasing their productivity and improving their livelihoods.

Dr. Joy Agene, the Task Team Leader of ACReSAL, highlighted efforts to engage youth in sustainable agricultural practices, aiming to recruit them as catalysts for the project’s continuity.

Dr. Agene emphasized that the project comprises three key focus areas: sustainability support, institutional strengthening, and policy enhancement. She credited Nasarawa State as a leader in sustainability policies, highlighting that this achievement is largely due to the support ACReSAL received from Governor Abdullahi Sule.

Mr. Abdulhamid Umar, the National Coordinator of Agro-climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for creating a conducive environment that has facilitated the seamless implementation of ACReSAL projects in Nasarawa State.

This initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity, improving food security, and promoting sustainable livelihoods for the people of Nasarawa State.