ActionAid Nigeria has appealed to the Federal Government to revive the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme to support small scale farmers across the country.
A document obtained from the organisation by the News Agency of NIgeria (NAN) in Abuja also emphasised the need for the government to provide resources to hasten re-organisation of GES Scheme.
In the document, ActionAid noted that the scheme had wide reach and coverage.
According to the organisation, GES provided smallholder farmers with basic inputs at affordable costs in their various communities.
ActionAid also recommended revival of extension services in agriculture to promote sound practices.
It suggested recruitment of extension agents, their capacity building, and provision of incentives and facilities necessary for their effectiveness in the field.
“If we want smallholder farmers’ productivity to improve at a faster rate, the extension services have to be revived.
“Government must vigorously promote organic farming among smallholder farmers.
“The Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme is yet to be re-activated despite recommendations by concerned civil society groups.
“The amount proposed for 2018 for GES is N1.67 billion which dropped from the 2017 proposal of N1.9 billion,” it said.
ActionAid said that the Federal Government should also develop a participatory process involving stakeholders such as smallholder farmers and civil society organisations.
‘’If they are involved, they will provide information that will guide allocation of what is very important for the sector’s development,’’ it said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the GES Scheme was launched in 2012 with the purpose of easing farmers’ access to quality farm inputs.