By Inusa Ndahi, Maiduguri
The Bono State Fadama NG-Cares through the state Ministry of Agriculture has flagged-off the distribution of agricultural assets and farm inputs to 3,490 dry season farmers.
The gesture is aimed at boosting food production amongst vulnerable farmers with value addition to improve quality of life of the people and stimulate rural economy.
The agricultural assets and inputs distribution was flagged off by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum at Farm Center in Maiduguri yesterday, as first phase with about 250 dry season farmers, who were selected across six village unit of Zabarmari, Dusuman, Kirbiri, Gongolong, Alau and Sulumri in Jere benefitted from the farm inputs, which includes sprayers, agro chemicals, fertilizer and seeds.
Flagging off the distribution, Governor Zulum, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Engineer Bawu Baba Musami, said, “The programme is in line with the state policy on agriculture, as captured in the Agricultural Transformation Agenda.”
While describing Jere as hub of irrigation farmers, the commissioner said the objective is not just to feed themselves, but to produce more for job creation and stimulate rural economy so as to avert hunger, poverty and social vices occasioned by idleness.
The commissioner said, “The ministry, in collaboration with the NG-CARES, will stem the tides of climate change by further training the beneficiaries on climate smart agriculture as well as operation and maintenance of the machines as part of ensuring food sufficiency now that all dormant irrigation schemes are being resuscitated and nine new ones are being established in eight local Government areas.”
While commending the NG-CARES for offering critical interventions that spur the people’s irrigation livelihood for food security, self-sufficiency and revival of rural economy also appreciated the Borno State FADAMA NG-CArES team for rendering critical interventions and technical support to farmers.
Earlier, the Head of FADAMA NG-CARES, Maina Mustapha Arjinoma, said a total of 3,490 farmers have been selected across 13 local government areas of Borno State to benefits from both the agricultural assets and farm input support to enhance agricultural production and add value to the crops.
He said 250 beneficiaries were painstakingly selected in six communities in Jere for the flag off, while the six major groundnut producing local governments of Gubio, Magumeri, Biu, Hawul, Damboa and Shani Arjinoma said will also receive one large scale oil extraction machine each.
Arjinoma said, “The people-centered agricultural policies of Borno State government, is in line with the objectives of FADAMA NG-CARES as contained the project implementation manual, commendeding Governor Zulum for his untiring support towards successful implementation of project activities in Borno State.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of Jere Local Government, represented by the councillor in charge of administration, Hon. Tahir Adamu, expressed delight for choosing Jere for the flag off, saying the items will no doubt uplift the people’s living standard.
The Borno-CARES Coordination Officer, Bukar Bulama Bita, represented by Zanna Baba Shehuri, commended the team for selecting the most deserving farmers and warned the beneficiaries not to sell the items and block the chance of others, as very soon, post distribution monitors will visit them to ascertain their usage.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the event expressed gratitude to both the NG-CARES and the state government for coming to their aid at this critical period and vowed to use the items for the purpose intended.
