President Muhammadu Buhari says succour is on the way for farmers negatively impacted by the excessive rains this year.

The president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said in a statement in Abuja that the president made this known in his message to farmers on ‘Farmers Day 2018’ on Saturday at Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The event was organized by Nigeria AGIP Oil Company for farmers in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Imo States.

The President said: “Two weeks ago, the National Food Security Council met and we approved a compensation package for all flood impacted farmers and fishermen.

“I want to assure all flood-affected farmers and fishermen that you will be helped. This government is with you in your time of need.

“As I speak to you now, the modalities for this compensation programme are being finalised and very soon, we shall start implementation.’’

The theme of the celebration is “Youths, Agents of Agricultural Development in the Niger Delta” and the president commended the organisers for the choice, remarking that “farming is the bedrock of the Nigerian economy.

“Our future economic prosperity hinges to a large extent, on how we modernize and expand our agriculture.’’

(NAN)