The Federal Government in Akure yesterday distributed 900 tonnes of food items to victims of the recent flood disaster in Ondo State.

Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, explained that the effort was to ameliorate the effects of the disaster on the people and the economy.

The items which comprised 660 tonnes of maize, 180 tonnes of sorghum and 60 tonnes of Gari, were deployed from the National Strategic Grains Reserve Silos in Ibadan and Akure.

Adesina was represented by Mr Julius Odeyemi, the South-West Regional Director of the ministry.

According to him, this is part of the 40,000 tonnes of food items released from the strategic reserves by President Goodluck Jonathan as palliatives for the flood victims. He said that the release of the items was the first of a four-pronged approach to management of the flood disaster that would cost the government N9.7 billion.

Others, according to the minister, include distribution of planting materials to farmers, procurement and distribution of subsidised fertilisers and procurement of small-scale irrigation water pumps for off-season farming.

He said a N17.6 billion all-inclusive programme of addressing housing and health challenges created by the disaster had been approved by the president.

Adesina said that this would "address the immediate challenges of displaced-families and further put in place measures that will reduce the impact on displaced farmers."

NAN